tihraxy  of  trhe  trheolojical  ^mimvy 


PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 

PURCHASED  BY  THE 
MRS.  ROBERT  LENOX  KENNEDY 
CHURCH  HISTORY  FUND 

BX7607  .P4A5 

Society  of  Friends.  PMadeiphiia  Yearly 
Aieeting. 

Retrospect  of  early  Quakerism  :  being  ex^ 


Digitized  by  tine  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


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EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


A 


RETROSPECT 


EARLY  QUAKERISM; 


BEING  EXTRACTS  FROM  THE  RECORDS 


PHILADELPHIA  YEARLY  MEETING 


MEETINGS  COMPOSING  IT. 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THEIR  FIRST  ESTABLISHMENT. 
By  EZRA  MICHENER. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PUBLISHED  BY  T.  ELLWOOD  ZELL. 
1860. 


TO  WHICH  IS  PREFIXED 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1860, 
BT    EZRA  MICHENER, 
in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  llie  District  Court  for  the  Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


PREFACE. 


It  is  often  difficult  for  a  -writer  correctly  to  appreciate  his 
■own  labors.  Hence,  whatever  object  he  may  have  in  view,  in 
prefixing  a  Preface  to  his  book,  the  effect  often  is  to  exhibit 
the  vanities  of  authorship,  by  predicating  a  character  for  the 
work  which  his  readers  will  not  be  able  to  realize.  I  hope  to 
avoid  doing  this. 

The  task  may  be  difficult  and  the  performance  rare,  but  a 
well-written  autobiography  is  perhaps  the  most  interesting 
and  instructive  history  which  we  can  have  of  a  man.  While 
it  describes  his  actions,  and  delineates  his  character  with  a 
precision  to  which  other  pens  could  not  attain,  it  correctly 
informs  us  of  the  motives  which  prompted  the  one,  and  the 
circumstances  which  formed  the  other.  The  same  is  true  of 
any  number  of  men,  considered  in  their  collective  capacity. 
None  can  so  certainly  know  their  performances,  none  so  clearly 
comprehend  their  motives,  none  so  fully  appreciate  their  true 
character,  its  lights  and  shadows,  as  themselves.  The  follow- 
ing work  is  founded  upon  this  assumption. 

The  system  of  order  and  church  government  established  by 
George  Fox,  his  coadjutors  and  successors,  is  believed  to  be 
more  in  accordance  with  the  principles  and  practices  of  primi- 
tive Christianity,  as  inculcated  and  practised  by  its  Divine 
Author,  than  anything  which  the  world  has  witnessed  since 
the  apostolic  age.  And  it  is  due  to  the  memory  of  that  ex- 
traordinary man  to  acknowledge,  that  almost  every  feature  of 


vi 


PREFACE. 


the  system  is  more  or  less  clearly  foreshadowed  in  his  writings. 
A  writer  in  the  Annual  Review  says  of  him  :  "  There  is  no 
character  in  Christian  history,  since  the  days  of  its  Divine 
Founder,  more  free  from  spot  or  stain,  than  that  of  George 
Fox.  It  is  not  less  ahsurd  to  call  him  insane  from  his  writings, 
than  it  would  be  to  call  Cromwell  a  fool  from  his  speeches. 
No  form  of  civil  polity  so  unexceptionable  in  its  means  and 
ends,  so  beautiful  in  all  its  parts,  so  perfect  as  a  whole,  has 
ever  been  imagined  in  philosophical  romance,  or  proposed  in 
theory,  as  this  man  conceived,  established,  and  reduced  to 
practice." 

But  the  pathway  thus  opened  for  the  humble  Christian 
traveller  was  found  too  narrow ;  the  self-denial  which  it  re- 
quired too  great ;  the  cross  which  had  to  be  borne  was  too 
heavy  for  a  corrupt  and  mercenary  priesthood,  or  a  profli- 
gate and  licentious  laity  to  walk  in.  It  was  easier  for  them 
to  revile  Friends,  and  to  vilify  them  by  opprobrious  epithets  ; 
to  denounce  them  as  insane  impostors  and  fanatical  innovators ; 
to  condemn  their  doctrines  as  false  and  heretical,  and  to  per- 
secute those  honest  men  who  conscientiously  maintained  them, 
than  to  imitate  their  pious  and  godly  example.  The  seal  of 
condemnation  has  been  set  upon  that  persecuting  spirit,  and  a 
more  dispassionate  inquiry  after  Truth  is  leading  the  public 
mind  more  and  more  from  under  the  dictation  of  those,  who 
make  merchandise  of  the  free  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ.  It  is 
gratifying  to  observe,  that  the  fundamental  doctrine  of  the 
Christian  faith, — the  indwelling  presence  of  Christ,  and  His 
immediate  revelation  in  the  soul, — is  no-y  much  more  generally 
acknowledged  than  it  was  two  centuries  ago,  and  will  hardly 
be  denied  by  those  who  seriously  examine  the  subject.  The 
recorded  wisdom  and  deep  religious  experience  of  George  Fox 
will  yet  continue  to  stand  a  beacon-light  to  enlighten  the  path 
of  the  Zion-ward  traveller  long  after  his  traducers  shall  have 
sunk  into  oblivion ;  for  it  will  ever  remain  to  be  a  truth,  that 
"  The  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shining  light,  that  shineth 
more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day." 


PREFACE. 


VU 


THE  OBJECT  AND  THE  PLAN. 

As  the  domestic  management  of  the  kitchen  affords  the  best 
index  to  that  of  the  entire  household,  so  the  primary  arrange- 
ments and  internal  economy  of  a  religious  organization,  fur- 
nish the  most  reliable  data  with  which  to  construct  its  history ; 
and  though  it  may  sometimes  appear  dressed  in  homespun, 
yet  it  wears  the  garb  of  simplicity  and  truth. 

Keeping  this  sentiment  constantly  in  view,  I  have  endeavored 
to  make  such  selections  from  the  earlier  advices  and  disciplinary 
regulations  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Philadelphia,  as  will  pretty 
fully  illustrate  the  principles  and  discipline  upon  which  its  sys- 
tem of  Church  Government  is  founded,  having  reference  to  the 
fundamental  doctrine  already  mentioned.  In  order  to  exhibit 
the  practical  working  of  this  system,  in  an  extended  applica- 
tion to  the  various  states  and  conditions  of  the  members,  I  have 
copied  largely  from  the  records  of  the  executive  branches  of 
the  Society, — Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meetings. 

As  Friends  do  not  consider  a  high  order  of  educational 
attainments  an  essential  qualification  for  station  in  religious 
society,  many  of  the  records  will  be  found  ungrammatical,  yet 
they  are  mostly  plenary  and  significant  of  their  intended 
purpose.  Wherever  it  could  be  obtained,  I  have  preserved  the 
exact  phraseology  of  the  records  with  quotation  marks,  correct- 
ing only  the  orthography,  and  sometimes  omitting  irrelevant 
parts  for  the  sake  of  brevity,  where  it  could  be  done  without 
impairing  the  sense.  Each  extract  is  intended  to  illustrate 
some  social  relation,  to  explain  some  important  principle,  or  to 
establish  some  disciplinary  rule. 

Prefixed  to  the  work  will  be  found  an  historical  account  of 
the  first  establishment  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  and  its  constitu- 
ent branches,  as  far  as  they  have  been  obtained.  In  this  portion 
of  the  work  I  have  been  necessarily  restricted  to  those  meetings 
•which  are,  or  have  been,  kept  up  by  that  portion  of  Society  to 
which  I  belong.  Had  it  been  practicable,  I  would  gladly  have 
embraced  both. 


VUl 


PREFACE. 


While  I  have  to  regret  that  some  Friends  whose  positions 
■were  favorable,  could  not  be  Induced  to  lend  a  helping  hand  in 
collecting  materials  for  the  work,  thereby  leaving  blanks,  or 
allowing  them  to  be  filled  with  less  important  matter,  I  must 
acknowledge  my  obligations  to  many  kind  Friends,  by  whose 
care  and  assistance  I  have  been  greatly  aided  in  my  labors. 
Among  these  are  some  who  are  not  in  religious  fellowship  with  , 
me, — to  whom  I  feel  indebted  for  their  urbanity  and  disinte- 
rested friendship. 

It  would  be  disingenuous  to  conceal  the  fact,  that  an  unhappy 
division  has  taken  place  in  our  once  united  and  peaceful  Society, 
each  portion  claiming  to  be  Friends.  With  the  controversy 
growing  out  of  that  event  I  have  nothing  to  do.  The  work 
here  offered,  with  the  exception  just  mentioned,  has  reference 
to  the  Society  of  Friends  in  its  Integrity.  Whatever  it  may 
contain  which  is  interesting  to  one  portion  must  be  equally  so 
to  the  other. 

Should  the  object  be  properly  appreciated,  I  cherish  the  hope, 
humble  as  the  book  is,  that  it  may  serve  as  a  nucleus  around 
which  the  perishable  and  perishing  materials  of  our  social 
history  will  continue  to  gather,  till  it  shall  be  made  as  perfect 
as  the  nature  of  the  case  will  permit. 

Ezra  Michener. 

New  Garden,  Chester  Co.,  Penna., 
Third  month,  1860. 


NOTE  TO  THE  HEADER. 


From  the  novelty  of  the  design  and  the  many  hands 
necessarily  employed  in  collecting  materials  for  this  work,  it 
must  be  expected  that  errors,  omissions,  and  redundancies  will 
be  found  in  its  pages.  Nor  is  the  theme  exhausted.  Much 
valuable  matter  can  yet  be  gleaned  from  the  records  of  our 
Society  which  may  be  profitably  incorporated  'mt<f' a  future 
edition.  Friends  who  have  access  to  such  records  will  now 
be  able  to  judge  of  its  imperfections,  and  better  prepared 
to  make  selections  for  its  subsequent  improvement.  Those 
so  circumstanced  are  especially  invited  to  collect  and  forward 
any  such  documents  to  the  address  of  the  writer,  in  order 
that  they  may  be  carefully  preserved  aad  arranged  for  use, 
as  occasion  may  require. 

Ezra  Michener. 


EXPLANATION. 


To  render  the  situation  of  the  meetings  more  intelligible,  I 
have  given  a  diagram  of  the  Quarterly  Meetings  constituting 
the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  also  of  the  meetings  composing  each 
Quarterly  Meeting,  in  which — 

a.  denotes  a  Meeting  for  Worship  or  Preparative  Meet- 
ing. 

h.  where  a  Monthly  Meeting  is  held. 


e.  where  a  Quarterly  Meeting  is  held. 


d.  where  a  former  meeting  has  been  discontinued. 

The  places  where  a  Quarterly  Meeting  is  held  are  united  by 
dotted  lines.  The  several  meetings  composing  each  Monthly 
Meeting  are  connected  by  black  lines. 

The  relative  position  and  distances  are  necessarily  only 
approximative  ;  but  they  are  sufficiently  accurate,  with  the 
aid  of  the  scale,  to  serve  as  a  general  guide  to  strangers. 

I  have  followed  the  chronological  arrangement  of  the  meet- 
ings, that  is,  meetings  of  the  same  class.  Thus,  I  begin  with 
the  oldest  Quarter  -within  the  Yearly  Meeting ;  the  oldest 
Monthly  in  each  Quarter,  and  the  oldest  Meeting  for  Worship 
in  each  Monthly.  Hence,  it  will  happen,  that  the  dates  of 
the  constituent  Meetings  are  generally  older  than  that  of  the 
preceding  meeting  which  they  constitute. 


xii 


EXPLANATION. 


The  same  order,  according  to  dates,  is  observed  in  the  dis- 
tribution of  the  extracts  under  each  particular  head. 

In  conclusion,  it  is  necessary  to  observe,  that  my  friend, 
William  Embree,  who  was  united  with  me  in  the  circular 
issued  about  the  beginning  of  last  year,  has  been,  unhappily, 
prevented  by  increasing  bodily  infirmity,  from  actively  engag- 
ing in  the  work ;  and  has  consequently  been  induced  to  with- 
draw his  name,  though  still  laboring  as  his  strength  permits. 


CONTENTS.. 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


FAQE 

Introduction,   17 

Chap.    I.  Yearly  Meeting,   21 

II.  Meeting  for  Sufierings,   29 

III.  Burlington  Quarterly,      .  .35 

IV".  Salem  Quarterly,      ........  43 

V.  Philadelphia  Quarterly,   50 

VI.  Concord  Quarterly,   65 

VII.  Bucks  Quarterly,   74 

VIII.  Abington  Quarterly,   84 

IX.  Western  Quarterly,  .       ;   92 

X.  Southern  Quarterly,   107 

XI,  Haddonfield  Quarterly,   117 

XII.  Cain  Quarterly,   124 

XIII.  Fishing  Creek  Half- Year  Meeting,   137 

RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 

Chap.    I.  Children  and  Youth,   143 

II.  Conduct  and  Conversation,       ......  147 

III.  Plainness,   149 

IV.  Charity,  Love,  and  Unity,   152 

V.  Ministry,   155 

VI.  Elders,   169 

VII.  Discipline,   174 

VIII.  Overseers,        .........  194 

IX.  Certificates,   202 

X.  Fanoily  Visits,   205 

XI.  Mutual  Help,   211 


xiv 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Chap.      XII.  Marriages,   218 

XIII.  Burials,   233 

XIV.  Removals,   238 

XV.  "Widows  and  Orphans,   240 

XVI.  Schools,    .       .       .    '   242 

XVII.  Queries,   250 

XVIII.  Indians,   2G0 

XIX.  Trading,   263 

XX,  Law,   26G 

XXI.  Government,   272 

XXII.  Appeals,   276 

XXIII.  Affirmations  and  Oaths,   281 

XXIV.  Allegiance  and  Abjuration,   287 

XXV.  War,   292 

XXVI.  Spirituous  Liquors,    .   307 

XXVII.  Negroes  and  Slavery,        ......  328 

XXVIIL  Priests'  Rates,  Tithes,   359 

XXIX.  Games,  Lotteries,  and  Diversions,     ....  361 

XXX.  Sorcery,   364 

XXXI.  Hat-Jionor,   368 

XXXII.  Sufferings,   372 

XXXIII.  Conclusion,   409 

APPENDIX. 

The  Nicholites,     ...      *   413 


INDEX, 


427 


LIST  or  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Race  Street  Meeting  and  Central  Schoolhouse,  facing  Title  page.  Page 

Map  of  the  Quarterly  Meetings,   21 

Race  Street  Meeting-house  (side  view),   28 

Map  of  Burlington  Quarterly  Meeting,         .....  35 

Salem             •'           "    43 

Philadelphia    "            "    50 

Race  Street  Meeting-house,    53 

Merion              "    61 

Reading            "                      .......  G3 

Map  of  Concord  Quarterly  Meeting,   65 

Bucks         "           "    U 

Abington      "    84 

■\Vestern       "            "    92 

New  Garden  Meeting-house,   98 

Map  of  Southern  Quartei-ly  Meeting,   107 

Haddonfield    "          "    117 

(;;alu              "          "    124 

Fishing  Creek  Half-Year  Meeting,   1,'^7 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


INTRODUCTION. 

The  Yearly  Meeting  appears  to  have  cherished  the  idea  of 
preparing  a  History  of  the  Establishment  of  Friends'  Meet- 
ings in  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  from  about  the  year 
1750. 

1752.—"  The  Extracts  of  the  last  Yearly  Meeting's  Minutes 
(1751)  being  come  to  hand,"  &c.  "  It  is  recommended  that 
the  several  meetings  should  appoint  some  Friends,  to  collect 
and  communicate  to  Samuel  Smith,  any  materials  that  might 
be  necessary  to  the  compiling  the  history  of  these  provinces, 
now  under  his  care.  Therefore,  tliis  meeting  appoints  James 
Thackara,  Euclydos  Longshore,  and  John  Woolston  to  that 
service." — (Middletown  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1752.— "William  Preston,  Thomas  Watson,  Cephas  Child, 
and  Samuel  Eastburn,  are  desired  to  collect  what  may  fall  in 
their  Avay  towards  the  history  of  the  provinces ;  and  to  bring 
it  to  next  meeting,  to  be  approved ;  and  then  sent  to  Samuel 
Smith,"  &c. — (Buckingham  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  two  foregoing  minutes  may  refer  to  the  General  Histo- 
ries of  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  by  Samuel  Smith;  but 

2 


18 


SETTLEMENT  OP  MEETINGS. 


■what  follows  has  a  specific  reference  to  a  History  of  the  Set- 
tlement of  Friends'  Meetings. 

1752. — "  That  the  clerk  of  this  meeting,  and  those  of  the 
several  monthly  meetings,  should  send  an  account  of  the  settle- 
ment of  all  the  meetings  in  the  county,  to  the  clerk  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting  before  the  spring  meeting." — (Bucks  Quarterly 
Meeting.) 

1758. — "  William  Trimble  reports,  he  has  made  all  the 
search  necessary,  respecting  the  first  settlement  of  this  meet- 
ing and  the  particular  meetings  thereunto  belonging ;  and 
drawn  out  the  same.  This  meetinof  orders  it  sent  according:  to 
the  directions  of  the  Yearly  Meeting." — (Concord  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

This  is  the  latest  notice  I  have  seen  of  this  concern  till  a 
minute  of  inquiry  was  forwarded  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  from 
Bucks  Quarter,  in  1770,  stating : — 

1770. — "  That  as  the  Yearly  Meeting  had  proposed  the  pub- 
lishing the  History  of  the  Settlement  of  Friends  in  this  Pro- 
vince ;  and,  as  many  Friends  have  taken  much  pains  in  collect- 
ing materials  for  that  purpose,  whether  it  might  not  be  proper 
to  inquire  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  what  is  become  of  that  mat- 
ter;  or,  whether  we  are  ever  to  see  the  work  perfected?" — 
(Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

The  answer  was :  "  The  proposal  concerning  the  first  settle- 
ment of  Friends,  was  recommended  to  the  Friends  who  have 
the  oversight  of  the  press,  and  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  ;  to 
make  inquiry  into  the  circumstances  of  that  matter ;  and  give 
their  assistance  towards  forwarding  the  work." — (See  Friends' 
Miscellany,  vii,  98.) 

1773. — "  This  meeting  received  the  following  minute  from 
the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  viz. : — 

" '  As  the  accounts  which  have  been  handed  to  our  friend, 
Samuel  Smith,  respecting  the  settlement  of  Meetings  in  this 
province,  have  not  been  so  fully  correct  as  is  desired,  the  Clerk 
is  directed  to  notify  each  Quarterly  Meeting,  that  it  is  the 


INTRODUCTION. 


19 


desire  of  this  meeting,  that  suitable  Friends  may  be  appointed 
in  each  Monthly  Meeting,  to  make  out  as  clear  and  exact 
accounts  as  may  be,  and  transmit  them  as  soon  as  they  well  can 
to  their  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  thence  to  this  meeting ;  that 
•when  the  History  is  published,  it  may  be  as  free  from  errors 
and  mistakes  as  possible.' — Extracted  by  John  Pemberton. 

"  And  a  copy  of  this  minute  being  prepared  for  each  Monthly 
Meeting,  they  are  forwarded  by  the  representatives,  desiring 
that  Friends  in  each  Monthly  Meeting  may  take  the  proper 
care  therein,  and  if  possible,  send  their  accounts  to  our  next 
Quarter. 

"And  this  meeting,  understanding  that  Chester  Quarterly 
Meeting  hath  appointed  some  Friends  to  take  this  matter  under 
consideration,  and  also  search  the  records  of  that  Quarter,  or 
any  other  Meeting  as  they  shall  think  proper,  in  order  to  obtain 
the  first  settlement  of  their  Meetings ;  this  meeting  also 
appoints  Thomas  Carlton,  William  Swayne,  John  Churchman, 
James  Moore,  Thomas  Buller,  and  Isaac  Jackson,  to  join  the 
said  Friends  in  the  service,  on  this  meeting's  behalf ;  as  the 
settlement  of  most  of  the  meetings  belonging  to  this  quarter, 
is  in  the  records  of  Chester  Quarterly  Meeting." 

"  John  Churchman,  on  behalf  of  the  Committee,  

reported,  that  care  has  been  taken  therein,  and  that  a  list  of 
the  first  settlement  of  meetings  within  the  verge  of  this  Quarter, 
is  ready  to  be  transcribed,  and  forwarded  to  the  Meeting  for 
SuiFerings." — (Western  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

1773. — "  A  copy  of  a  minute  from  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings 
was  produced,  requesting  that  the  time  of  the  first  settlement 
of  meetings  may  be  collected.  Therefore,  Isaac  Evans  and 
John  Lippincott  are  appointed  to  collect  an  account,  as  near 
as  may  be,  of  the  first  settlement  of  the  meetings  at  Evesham 
and  Chester,  and  report  to  next  meeting." — (Evesham  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1773.— "At  a  Monthly  Meeting  held  at  Richland,  4th 
month  15th,  1773, 

"  The  Friends  appointed  by  last  meeting,  to  draw  up  an  account 
of  the  first  settlement  of  our  meeting,  to  be  transmitted  to 


20 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


the  next  Quarterly  Meeting,  have  performed  the  service  as 
follows  : — 

"  The  first  settlement  of  Friends  in  this  place  was  about  the 
year  1710,  by  our  ancient  friend,  Peter  Lester,  from  Leicester- 
shire in  England,  Vfho,  with  his  wife  and  children,  and  other 
families,  became  members  of  Gwynedd  Monthly  Meeting,  and 
a  meeting  for  worship  was,  with  the  concurrence  of  that 
Monthly  Meeting,  held  at  the  said  Peter  Lester's  house  for 
several  years.  Friends  lived  in  amicable  intercourse  with 
the  Indian  natives,  who  at  that  time  were  numerous  in  these 
parts,  and  often  helpful  to  the  new  settlers,  in  furnishing  them 
with  necessary  provisions,  which  is  gratefully  remembered  by 
some  yet  living  among  us.  About  the  year  1723,  a  small 
meeting-house  was  built,  and  a  preparative  meeting  then  held, 
by  the  assent  of  the  said  Monthly  Meeting.  And  Friends 
continuing  to  increase  in  number,  by  the  youth  growing  up, 
and  the  accession  of  several  families  of  Friends  from  other 
places,  it  became  necessary,  in  the  year  1730,  to  build  a  new 
meeting-house,  which  was  done  on  a  commodious  lot  of  ground 
near  the  centre  of  the  settlement.  And  our  said  meeting, 
through  the  blessing  of  Divine  Providence,  both  spiritually  and 
temporally  bestowed,  still  continued  to  increase  in  strength  and 
numbers,  until  the  year  1742,  Avhen  Friends  thought  it  expe- 
dient to  make  application  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  at 
Philadelphia,  the  1st  of  9th  month,  1742,  to  have  a  Monthly 
Meeting  erected  among  themselves,  which  was  granted  them, 
to  be  held  the  third  fifth  day  of  the  week  in  each  month,  and 
called  Richland  Monthly  Meeting,  Avhich  from  that  time  has 
continued,  and  Friends  here  have  since  made  considerable 
additions  to  their  meeting-house,  to  accommodate  the  meeting. 

"  The  above  account  being  approved  by  the  meeting,  was 
signed  by  order  and  on  behalf  thereof,  by 

"  Samuel  Foulke,  Clerk." 

The  result  of  the  concern  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  is  embraced 
in  the  XXth  Chapter  of  Samuel  Smith's  "  Manuscript  History 
of  Pennsylvania,"  now  in  possession  of  the  Pennsylvania  His- 


YEARLY  MEETING. 


21 


torical  Society,  and  wliicli  may  be  found  in  tlio  seventk  volume 
of  "Hazard's  Weekly  Register."  The  reader  will  perceive 
that  I  have  endeavored  to  amplify  and  extend  that  history,  by 
furnishing  additional  and  more  ample  authentic  records,  where 
they  could  be  obtained. 


CHAPTER  I. 

YEARLY  MEETING. 

In  the  early  settling  of  the  American  Colonies,  Friends  paid 
little  regard  to  what  would  now  be  considered  a  regular  order 
of  procedure,  in  the  establishment  of  meetings.  They  Avere  a 
practical  people.  They  soon  discovered  their  most  pressing 
wants,  and  sought  the  most  direct  means  to  supply  them.  After 
the  establishment  of  meetings  for  worship,  which  were  generally 
held  at  each  other's  houses.  Monthly  Meetings  became  their 
greatest  need,  for  the  right  ordering  of  marriages,  receiving 
and  granting  certificates,  &c.,  and  they  were  next  supplied. 
Quarterly  Meetings,  as  w'e  shall  see,  were  then  less  essential; 
every  third  Monthly  Meeting,  being  called  a  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing, without  perceptibly  changing  either  its  authority,  or  the 
character  of  the  business  which  it  transacted.  It  was  only  as 
Friends  became  numerous,  and  widely  diffused,  that  Yearly 
Meetings  were  required,  to  embody  the  principles  and  practices 
of  the  Society  ;  thereby  to  establish  a  uniform  order  and  disci- 
pline, and  maintain  right  authority  in  the  Church.  Prior  to 
which  time,  Quarterly  and  even  Monthly  Meetings,  issued  their 
advisory  rules,  which  were  deemed  authoritative  by  the  mem- 
bers. 

1681.— "At  the  Monthly  Meeting  at  Burlington,  the  2d  of 
the  third  month,  1681,  it  was  unanimously  agreed,  that  a 


22 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


General  -Meeting  be  yearly  held  in  Burlington,  the  first  of 
which,  to  be  the  28th  of  sixth  month,  1681." — (Burlington 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1681. — "  At  a  General  Meeting,  held  in  Burlington,  the  last 
day  of  the  sixth  month,  1681,  at  the  house  of  Thomas  Gardner, 
it  was  then  mutually  agreed  that  a  Women's  Meeting  should 
be  established." — (Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

"  But  it  is  asked  (says  William  Penn,  in  his  Just  Measures), 
why  should  women  meet  apart  ?  We  think  for  a  very  good 
reason.  The  church  increaseth,  which  increaseth  the  business 
of  the  church,  and  Avomen,  whose  bashfulness  will  not  permit 
them  to  say  or  do  much,  as  to  church  affairs,  before  the  men, 
when  by  themselves,  may  exercise  their  gift  of  Avisdom  and 
understanding,  in  a  discreet  care  of  their  own  sex,  at  least, 
which  makes  up  not  the  least  part  of  the  business  of  the  Church ; 
and  this,  while  the  men  are  upon  their  own  proper  business, 
also,  so  that,  as  men  and  women  make  up  the  Church,  men  and 
women  make  up  the  business  of  the  Church." 

The  Yearly  Meeting,  held  in  Burlington,  in  1683,  was 
greatly  augmented,  by  the  attendance  of  William  Penn,  and 
his  companions,  who  had  recently  arrived  in  Pennsylvania. 
That  Meeting  has  left  the  following  record:  — 

1683. — "  Whereas,  this  meeting  judged  it  requisite  for  the 
benefit  and  advantage  of  Truth,  and  mutual  comfort  of  Friends, 
that  a  General  Yearly  Meeting  might  be  established,  for  the 
provinces  in  these  parts ;  northward,  as  far  as  New  England, 
and  southward,  as  far  as  Carolina ;  that  by  the  coming  of 
Friends  together,  from  the  several  parts  where  Truth  is  professed, 
the  affairs  thereof,  may  be  the  better  known  and  understood. 
And  to  the  end,  that  the  same  may  be  assented  to,  by  Friends 
in  those  parts,  and  places  above  mentioned,  it  is  agreed  that 
William  Penn,  Christopher  Taylor,  Samuel  Jennings,  James 
Harrison,  Thomas  Olive,  and  Mahlon  Stacy,  do  take  sure 
methods,  by  writing  to  Friends,  or  speaking,  as  may  best  fall 
out  for  their  conveniency,  in  order  to  have  the  same  estab- 
lished."— (Yearly  Meeting.) 


YEARLY  MEETING. 


23 


I  think  the  master  spirit  of  William  Pcnn  is  visible  in  this 
transaction ;  and,  although  not  expressly  so  recorded,  it  is 
probable  that  Philadelphia  was  the  intended  place  for  holding 
the  General  Yearly  Meeting ;  for,  only  one  month  after  the 
above  Yearly  Meeting  in  Burlington,  another  was  held  in 
Philadelphia. 

In  1684,  the  two  Yearly  Meetings  were  again  held  in  Bur- 
lington and  Philadelphia.  The  latter  was  attended  by  appoint- 
ments from  Rhode  Island,  and  from  the  Quarterly  Meetings 
of  Herring  Ci"eek  and  Choptank,  in  Maryland.  In  an  epistle 
from  that  meeting  to  Friends  in  England  they  say  :  "  We  are 
to  send  an  epistle  to  Carolina,  Virginia,  Maryland,  and  all 
there  away ;  also  the  other  way,  to  New  England  and  Rhode 
Island,  that  it  may  be  presented  to  them,  if  possible,  from  these 
remote  provinces,  they  may  send  two  or  three  from  each  pro- 
vince to  our  Yearly  Meeting  here,  being  as  a  centre  or  middle 
place,  that  so  communion  and  blessed  union  may  be  preserved 
among  all."  The  same  epistle  continues  :  "  At  the  two  afore- 
mentioned General  Meetings,  we  had  such  a  blessed  harmony 
together  that  we  may  say  that  we  know  not  that  there  was  a 
jarring  string  among  us.  A  great  multitude  came,  of  many 
hundreds,  and  the  Gospel  bell  made  a  most  glorious  sound. 
There  was  the  men's  and  women's  meetings  at  both  places,  in 
their  precious  service,  to  inspect  into  Truth's  matters  in  what 
related  to  them ;  and  God  gave  them  wisdom  to  do  it,  and  all 
was  unanimous." 

In  1685,  the  two  Yearly  Meetings  for  the  Provinces  of  New 
Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  were  once  more  held.  But  the  sub- 
ject having  been  duly  considered  in  both  these  meetings,  it  was, 

1685. — "Unanimously  agreed  and  concluded  by  this  meet- 
ing (in  Philadelphia),  that  there  be  but  one  Yearly  and  General 
Meeting  in  Pennsylvania  and  West  Jersey — one  year  at  Bur- 
lington, and  another  at  Philadelphia — and  to  be  held  the  next 
year  at  Burlington  on  the  first  first  day  in  the  seventh  month 
for  w  orship,  and  the  fourth  day  to  be  the  men's  and  women's 


24 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


meetings.  The  next  year  after  to  be  at  Philadelphia,  on  the 
same  day  of  the  same  month,  and  to  continue  the  same  time." — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 

It  does  not  appear  that  the  proposition  for  holding  a  General 
Yearly  Meeting  obtained  favor  in  the  distant  provinces.  Mary- 
land alone,  being  a  small  meeting,  continued  to  send  represen- 
tatives until  about  the  year  1790,  a  period  of  more  than  one 
hundred  years.  The  Yearly  Meeting  now  assumed  the  title, 
"The  General  Yearly  Meeting  for  Friends  of  Pennsylvania, 
East  and  West  Jersey,  and  of  the  adjacent  Provinces." 

The  extraordinary  assumption  has  been  made,  that  the  meet- 
ing, up  to  this  period,  was  only  a  General  Meeting,  and  not, 
in  a  technical  sense,  a  Yearly  Meeting,  nor  endowed  with  the 
powers  and  privileges  of  such  a  body.  There  is  no  room  for 
controversy  on  this  point ;  but  as  it  has  been  published,  within 
the  past  year,  that  "  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting  was  esta- 
blished in  1686,"  I  simply  allude  to  it  in  order  that  the  truth 
of  history  may  not  be  falsified  thereby. 

This  may  be  an  appropriate  place  for  the  following  minute 
of  advice : — 

1704.  — "  It  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting,  that  all  Quarterly 
Meetings  give  a  strict  charge  to  the  members  whom  they  ap- 
point to  attend  the  service  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  that  none 
of  them  be  absent  from  their  duty  therein,  without  the  leave  of 
the  said  meeting." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1705.  — "  Samuel  Jennings  proposed,  on  behalf,  and  at  the 
request  of  women's  meeting,  that  they  may  be  permitted  to 
have  a  Yearly  Meeting  stock  of  their  own,  for  such  services 
as  may  more  properly  fall  under  their  notice ;  to  which  this 
meeting  condescends." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

After  allowing  women  Friends  to  hold  a  Yearly  Meeting, 
and  to  transact  their  own  proper  business  for  more  than  twenty 
years,  there  should  not  have  been  much  condescension  needed,  in 
allowing  them  a  little  pocket-money,  to  aid  in  the  service. 


YEARLY  MEETING, 


25 


1712. — "  As  to  the  proposal  for  an  alteration  of  the  Yearly- 
Meeting  of  business  to  Philadelphia,  to  be  held  there  every 
year,  this  meeting  concludes  it  is  best,  for  divers  considerations, 
to  remain  as  it  is  at  present  established." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1755. — "  Agreed  to  hold  our  Yearly  Meeting,  on  the  third 
first  day  of  the  Aveek,  in  the  9th  month." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1760. — "  The  consideration  of  the  properest  place  for  hold- 
ing our  Yearly  Meeting  for  business  in  future,  now  coming 
under  the  solid  notice  and  thought  of  this  meeting,  and  much 
time  being  spent  thereon,  and  a  full  opportunity  given  for  a 
free  expression  of  Friends'  sentiments,  and  the  calming  influ- 
ences of  Gospel  love  being  over  us,  it  appears  to  be  the  most 
general  sense,  that  Philadelphia,  as  it  is  the  nearest  central  for 
the  body  of  the  Society,  it  is  therefore  the  most  convenient  for 
that  purpose." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  Yearly  Meeting  of  Philadelphia  had  become  numeri- 
cally and  geographically  very  large,  reaching  to  Hopewell 
and  Fairfax,  in  Virginia,  and  to  the  Motherkills  in  the  State 
of  Delaware. 

The  Yearly,  or  rather  Half  Year's  Meeting,  of  Maryland, 
was  composed  of  only  two  Quarterly  Meetings,  located  on 
the  opposite  shores  of  the  Chesapeake. 

It  was  thought  that  a  different  arrangement  of  the  Meetings, 
might  be  advantageous  to  both,  which,  after  mature  delibera- 
tion, was  effected,  in  the  year,  1790.  The  Meetings  on  the 
Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland  were  united  with  the  Monthly 
Meetings  of  Duck  Creek  and  Motherkill,  in  the  State  of  Dela- 
ware, to  constitute  the  Southern  Quarterly  Meeting,  as  a  sub- 
ordinate branch  of  Philadelphia  Yeaidy  Meeting,  and  the  Quar- 
terly Meetings  of  Warrington  and  Fairfax  were  transferred  to 
the  Maryland  Yearly  Meeting,  now  agreed  to  be  held  annually 
in  the  city  of  Baltimore. 

In  1819,  the  Monthly  Meetings  of  Nottingham,  Little 
Britain,  and  Deer  Creek,  were  constituted  a  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing, and  at  the  same  time,  were  transferred  to  the  Yearly 
Meeting  of  Baltimore. 


26  SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 

1793, — "  This  meeting  convened  under  a  humiliating  sense 
of  the  Divine  judgments,  -which  have  been  manifested  in  this 
city,  by  a  pestilential  disorder,  Avhich  has  for  some  time  pre- 
vailed, and  carried  off  many  of  the  inhabitants,  and  have  to 
acknowledge,  that,  though  much  smaller  than  usual,  we  have 
been  enabled  to  transact  the  weighty  affairs  of  the  Church, 
which  have  come  before  us,  in  much  harmony  and  brotherly 
love,  and  as  our  confidence  hath  been  measurably  directed  to- 
wards the  Fountain  of  every  blessing,  strength  has  been  derived 
therefrom,  to  conclude  the  business  to  satisfaction  and  comfort." 
— (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1798. — "  Friends  unanimously  agreed  that  our  Yearly  Meet- 
ing be  in  future  held  on  the  third  second  day  in  the  fourth 
month,  and  the  meeting  of  ministers  and  elders  on  the  seventh 
day  preceding." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1838. — "  The  following  report,  after  due  consideration,  was 
adopted,  women's  meeting  also  uniting  therein,  viz. :  that  an 
advantage  would  arise  to  Society  if  the  time  of  holding  our 
Yearly  Meeting  was  changed  to  the  second  day  following  the 
second  first  day  in  the  fifth  month." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

In  the  year  1829  and  subsequently,  the  Yearly  Meeting  of 
men  Friends  was  held  at  Green  Street  Meeting-house  ;  and 
that  of  women  Friends  at  Cherry  Street,  below  Fifth.  This 
separation  of  the  meetings  was  found  inconvenient.  Moreover, 
the  house  did  not  aiford  women  comfortable  accommodations, 
and  was  no  longer  conveniently  located  for  the  members  of  the 
Monthly  Meeting,  many  of  whom  had  been  driven  from  the 
commercial  front  of  the  city  by  the  expansion  of  business.  The 
Yearly  Meeting  held  in  1855,  had  been  looking  to  some  means 
of  relief,  when  the  following  minute  was  opportunely  received 
from  women's  meeting  : — 

1855. — "  The  Yearly  Meeting  of  women  Friends,  now  sit- 
ting, believe  it  right  to  call  the  attention  of  men  Friends  to  the 
very  poor  accommodations  the  Cherry  Street  house  affords. 
Although  the  additional  ventilation  has  rendered  it  a  little 


YEARLY  MEETING.  27 

more  comfortable,  still  its  crowded  state,  the  difficulty  of  hear- 
ing, and  our  position,  since  the  erection  of  the  adjoining  build- 
ing, being  by  many  considered  unsafe,  Ave  feel  it  right  to  present 
the  subject  before  you. 

"  Signed  by 

"Mary  S.  Lippincott,  Cleric. 

"  Fifth  month,  ITth,  1855." 

"To  the  Yearly  Bleeting. 

1855. — "The  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  minute 
from  our  women's  Yearly  Meeting,  on  the  subject  of  their  better 
accommodation,  nearly  all  twice  met,  and  were  united  in  judg- 
ment that  better  accommodations  were  needed.  They,  there- 
fore, propose  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  to  appoint  a  committee  to 
carry  out  this  view  as  far  as  way  may  open,  provided  that  suffi- 
cient means  can  be  raised  by  subscriptions  or  otherwise  ;  which 
was  approved,  and  the  committee  was  continued  to  carry  out 
the  views  of  the  report,  and,  if  way  opens,  provide  accommo- 
dations for  both  branches  of  the  Yearly  Meeting." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

That  committee,  acting  in  concert  with  a  committee  of  "the 
Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia,"  held  at  Cherry 
Street,  proceeded  to  purchase  two  adjoining  lots,  situate  be- 
tween Cherry  and  Race  Streets,  west  of  Fifteenth  Street. 
That  for  the  Yearly  Meeting  having  a  front  on  Cherry  Street 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  feet,  with  a  depth  of  seventy-six  feet. 
The  Monthly  Meeting's  lot,  lying  immediately  back  of  it,  having 
the  same  width,  and  a  depth  of  one  hundred  feet,  Avith  a  central 
outlet  ninety  feet  wide,  extending  one  hundred  and  twelve  feet, 
to  Race  Street. 

Upon  these  premises  the  joint  committee  proceeded  to  erect 
a  meeting-house  for  their  mutual  accommodation.  The  building 
is  one  hundred  and  thirty-one  feet  long  from  north  to  south, 
and  eighty  feet  wide,  with  a  central  projection  of  eight  feet  on 
the  east  and  west  sides,  and  stands  thirty  feet  from  Cherry 
Street.   The  Yearly  Meeting's  apartment,  where  men's  meeting 


28 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


is  held,  is  forty-six  feet  by  eighty,  allowing  the  dividing  line  to 
run  through  the  centre  of  its  north  wall.  The  Monthly  Meet- 
ing's room,  where  women's  Yearly  Meeting  is  held,  is  sixty  feet 
by  eighty,  and  stands  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  feet  from 
Race  Street.  Both  meeting  rooms  have  galleries  on  three 
sides.  The  Cherry  Street  house  will  accommodate  fourteen 
hundred  persons ;  the  Race  Street  one  eighteen  hundred. 

The  two  apartments  are  separated  by  a  space  of  twenty-five 
feet,  which  is  divided  into  three  stories ;  each  having  rooms  on 
the  east  and  west  fronts,  with  central  stairways  between  them, 
designed  to  accommodate  committees,  and  for  school  rooms, 
library,  &c. 

The  Yearly  Meeting's  property  is  vested  in  McPherson 
Saunders,  Isaac  C.  Parry,  Barclay  Knight,  Clement  Biddle, 
Abner  Garret,  Elias  Hicks,  James  Dixon,  George  Middleton, 
George  L.  Gillingham,  William  E.  Cooper,  and  George  Mas- 
ters, as  trustees  on  its  behalf,  being  one  out  of  each  Quarterly 
Meeting. 

Friends  of  the  three  Monthly  Meetings  of  Philadelphia  sub- 
sequently purchased  an  adjoining  lot  on  Race  Street,  of  forty 
feet  front  and  one  hundred  deep,  on  which  they  erected  a  house 
for  the  accommodation  of  "Friends'  Central  School." 

All  the  funds  required  for  these  several  purposes,  except  the 
proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  old  Cherry  Street  property,  were 
raised  by  voluntary  subscriptions ;  and  it  is  gratifying  to  know 
that  "  the  whole  is  paid  for  and  clear  of  incumbrance,  with  the 
exception  of  a  mortgage  of  five  thousand  dollars  upon  the  pro- 
perty held  by  Friends  as  school  propert}'." 

The  whole  expenditure  may  be  summed  up  as  follows : — 

Cost  of  the  Yearly  Meeting's  property,   .       .       .     $34,000  00 
"      "     Monthly      "  "...       52,180  70 

"      "     Central  School  "        ...       14,919  19 

Total  amount,      ....    $101,099  89 

The  Yearly  Meeting  held  its  first  session  in  the  new  house 
in  the  fifth  month,  1857. 


MEETING  FOR  SUFFERINGS. 


29 


In  the  progress  of  the  organization  of  our  religious  Society, 
meetings  of  a  more  transient  and  ephemeral  character  were 
occasionally  held,  under  the  name  of  "  General  Meetings," 
"  Spring  Meetings,"  &c.  These  were  principally  designed  for 
worship;  but,  when  an  emergency  required,  they  sometimes 
transacted  business.  Subordinate  to  these  were  the  Youths' 
Meetings,  often  held  quarterly,  on  the  day  following  a  Quar- 
terly Meeting.  All  these  meetings  were,  no  doubt,  useful  in 
their  day,  and  claimed  a  large  share  of  the  sympathy  and  con- 
cern of  the  Society;  but,  as  they  did  not  come  within  the  scope 
of  its  regular  organization,  Ave  have  not  thought  it  necessary 
to  notice  them  more  in  detail  in  this  work. 


CHAPTER  II. 

MEETING  FOR  SUFFERINGS. 

As  new  Yearly  Meetings  came  to  be  established,  they  felt 
the  want  of  a  medium  of  communication  with  other  similarly 
constituted  bodies.  During  their  incipient  and  progressive 
organization,  they  required  the  aid  of  their  more  experienced 
brethren  in  the  work. 

There  was  also  a  want  of  some  body  which  could  represent 
them  during  their  recess,  and  this  want  was  greatly  increased 
at  times,  by  the  cruel  persecutions  and  sufferings  to  which  the 
members  were  exposed ;  often  requiring  the  vigilant  care  and 
prompt  assistance  of  their  friends  to  be  extended  for  their 
relief.    Such  was  the  source  of  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings. 

1705. — "  This  meeting  being  informed  that  some  Friends  in 
New  England  are  desirous  to  correspond  with  Friends  here, 
and  it  being  thought  necessary  that  there  be  a  correspondence 
held,  not  only  Avith  them,  but  Avith  other  neighboring  Yearly 
Meetings,  viz.,  Maryland,  Virginia,  Carolina,  Long  Island, 


30 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


Rhode  Island,  &c.,  Samuel  Jennings,  Thomas  Story,  Griffith 
Owen,  Edward  Shippen,  and  Thomas  Gardner,  are  appointed 
as  correspondents  for  this  meeting,  and  they,  or  any  two  of 
them,  may  act  in  that  behalf,  as  there  may  be  occasion." — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 

1709. — "It  being  moved  at  this  meeting,  that  all  Friends 
within  the  limits  thereof,  from  their  several  Quarterly  Meet- 
ings, bring  in  an  account  of  all  Friends'  sufferings,  that  have 
been,  or  may  happen  among  them,  for  their  testimony  to  the 
Truth,  that  it  may  be  done  yearly  ;  unto  which  the  meeting 
agrees,"  &c. — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1709. — "  The  care  of  the  Press  being  recommended  to  the 
care  of  Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting,  [to  appoint]  a  com- 
mittee of  eight  Friends,  any  five  of  whom  are  desired  to  take 
care  to  peruse  all  writings  or  manuscripts  that  are  intended  to 
be  printed,  before  they  go  to  the  Press,  with  power  to  correct 
what  may  not  be  for  the  service  of  Truth ;  otherwise,  not  to 
suffer  anything  to  be  printed." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  Press  here  mentioned  is  understood  to  have  been  the  pro- 
perty of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  held  under  its  strict  surveil- 
lance. We  can  hardly  realize  the  confidence  which  Friends 
must  have  placed  in  each  other  in  those  days  of  primitive  Qua- 
kerism, thus  to  allow  a  committee  of  five  men,  appointed  in  one 
Monthly  Meeting,  the  absolute  and  unlimited  power  to  approve, 
to  correct  or  alter,  or  to  suppress,  whatever  might  be  written  for 
publication. 

1718. — "  This  meeting,  seeing  occasion  to  renew  to  the  notice 
of  Friends,  our  ancient  care  and  practice  in  the  case  of  publish- 
ing books  and  writings,  now  recommend  to  the  Monthly  and 
Quarterly  Meetings,  that  such  be  dealt  with  as  shall  write, 
print,  or  publish  any  books  or  writings  tending  to  raise  conten- 
tion, or  occasion  breach  of  unity  among  brethren,  or  that  have 
not  first  had  the  perusal  and  approbation  of  the  Friends  ap- 
pointed by  the  Yearly  Meeting  for  that  purpose." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 


MEETING  FOR  SUFFERINGS. 


31 


It  would  seem  that  the  Yearly  Meeting  now  appointed  what 
are  in  the  succeeding  minute  called  the  Overseers  of  the 
Press.  Wo  do  not  know  when  this  practice  was  first  intro- 
duced. 

1722. — "  Agreed,  that  what  writings  are  approved  of  by  the 
overseers  of-  the  Press  for  printing,  shall  be  done  at  the  charge 
of  this  meeting." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1756. — "  We  the  committee  to  correspond  with  Friends  in 
England,  and  to  visit  the  Monthly  Meetings,  having  had  a 
conference  with  the  committee  appointed  to  adjust  the  Yearly 
Meeting's  accounts  ;  and  taking  into  consideration  the  dis- 
tressed state  of  the  frontier  settlements  of  these  provinces;  and 
that  we  have  just  grounds  to  apprehend  that  many  of  our  friends, 
■who  are  now  situated  in  parts  immediately  exposed  to  danger, 
may  soon  stand  in  need  of  relief  and  assistance,  and  for  want 
of  a  timely  care  and  provision  being  made,  may  in  the  approach- 
ing winter  suffer  deeply.  Under  these  considerations,  we  are 
unanimously  of  opinion  that  it  will  be  expedient  to  raise  such 
a  sum  of  money  for  the  stock  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  as  may 
enable  those  with  whom  the  distribution  of  it  may  be  intrusted, 
to  do  more  considerable  service  than  the  sums  usually  raised 
would  answer.  And,  therefore,  conclude  less  than  one  thou- 
sand pounds  may  not  be  sufficient. 

"  And  in  order  that  due  care  may  be  taken  to  distribute  or 
employ  the  money  to  general  satisfaction,  we  propose  that  the 
treasurers  of  this  Yearly  Meeting  should  observe  the  directions 
of  a  committee  to  be  appointed  by  this  meeting  ;  and  that  such 
a  committee  may  be  constituted  in  the  most  equal  manner,  and 
that  the  several  Quarterly  Meetings  be  properly  represented, 
we  propose  that  this  meeting  should  nominate  twelve  Friends, 
living  in  or  near  Philadelphia,  for  the  convenience  of  their  get- 
ting soon  together;  and  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  several 
Quarterly  Meetings  to  appoint  four  Friends  to  represent  each 
quarter,  and  that  the  whole  number  should  meet  together  at 
Philadelphia  as  soon  as  they  can  conveniently ;  and  at  their 


32 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


first  meeting  should  regulate  the  manner  and  time  of  their 
future  meetings. 

"  That  the  services  proposed  to  be  transacted  by  them  be : 
To  hear  and  consider  the  cases  of  any  Friends  under  suffering, 
especially  such  as  suffer  fi-om  the  Indians  or  other  enemies,  and 
to  administer  such  relief  as  they  may  find  necessary,  or  to 
apply  to  government,  or  persons  in  power,  on  their  behalf.  To 
correspond  with  tlie  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  or  Yearly  Meeting 
of  London  ;  and  to  represent  the  state  of  the  affairs  of  Friends 
here ;  and,  in  general,  to  represent  this  meeting,  and  appear  in 
all  cases  where  the  reputation  of  Truth  and  our  religious  So- 
ciety are  concerned;  provided  that  they  do  not  meddle  with 
matters  of  faith  or  discipline  not  already  determined  in  this 
meeting ;  and  that  at  least  twelve  should  concur  on  all  occa- 
sions ;  and  that,  in  matters  of  great  importance,  notice  be 
given  or  sent  to  all  the  members  of  the  committee." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

It  was  unanimously  agreed  to  raise  the  sum  recommended ; 
and  "  as  the  appointment  of  the  proposed  committee,  and 
limiting  their  trust  and  authority,  requires  further  considera- 
tion," ....  the  meeting  appointed  a  committee  of  eighteen 
Friends  to  consider  the  same,  and  report  to  the  next  sitting ; 
when 

"The  meeting  agrees  to  and  confirms  the  proposal,  with  this 
addition,  that  the  said  committee  should  keep  fair  minutes  of 
all  their  proceedings,  and  produce  the  same  to  next  Yearly 
Meeting.  And  the  representatives  of  the  several  quarters  are 
desired  to  meet  together  and  nominate  twelve  Friends,  to  be 
returned  to-morrow,  for  the  approbation  of  this  meeting. 

"  And  the  representatives  are  desired  to  inform  Friends,  in 
their  respective  quarters,  that  it  is  the  mind  of  this  meeting 
that  they  should,  at  their  next  Quarterly  Meeting,  nominate 
the  four  Friends  to  be  chosen  by  them. 

"  And  as  this  meeting  (committee)  when  settled  will  be 
capable  of  discharging  the  services  for  which  the  committee 


MEETING  FOR  SUFFERINGS. 


33 


appointed  to  consider  the  uses  and  manner  of  application  of 
charitable  legacies  and  donations,  and  to  advise  respecting  the 
titles  of  any  lands  or  other  estate  belonging  to  the  several 
meetings,  &c.,  was  intended:  it  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting  that 
the  necessary  care  in  such  matters  ■will  be  a  part  of  the  proper 
concern  of  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1756.  — "  James  Moon,  Samuel  Carey,  Thomas  Ross,  and 
Joshua  Ely  (in  pursuance  of  the  direction  of  the  Yearly  Meet- 
ing), are  chosen  to  represent  this  meeting  as  members  of  the 
Meeting  for  Sufferings." — (Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

1757.  — "  The  minutes  of  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  having 
been  read,  &c.,  it  is  unanimously  agreed  that  the  said  meeting 
should  be  continued,  and  that  the  Friends  nominated  last  year 
be  continued  members  of  that  meeting  ;  who,  in  conjunction 
with  those  chosen  by  the  several  Quarterly  Meetings,  shall  be 
and  continue  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  until  the  respective 
Quarterly  Meetings  shall  nominate  and  appoint  others  in  the 
rooms  or  places  of  those  chosen  by  them  last  year." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

The  Meeting  for  Sufferings  was  thus  continued  from  year  to 
year,  "  as  at  present  constituted,  reserving  to  each  Quarterly 
Meeting  the  right  of  changing  any  of  the  members  in  the  places 
where  they  Avere  respectively  nominated." — (See  Extracts  for 
1757_8-9,  1760-1-2,  &c.  &c.) 

1764. — "  When  there  is  an  apparent  neglect  of  the  members 
nominated  by  the  Yearly  Meeting,  the  said  Meeting  for  Suf- 
ferings is  authorized  to  appoint  other  Friends  in  the  room  of 
such,  if,  after  seasonable  admonition,  they  continue  to  neglect 
or  decline  attending  ;  and  to  acquaint  the  Quarterly  Meetings 
respectively,  where  they  observe  any  nominated  to  represent 
them  continue  neglectful  of  giving  proper  attendance,  in  order 
that  such  Quarterly  Meetings  may  appoint  others." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

1768. — "  The  proceedings  of  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  for 
the  year  past,  being  read  and  approved,  it  is  agreed  to  continue 


34 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


that  meeting,  agreeable  to  former  minutes,  until  this  meeting 
may  think  it  necessary  to  order  the  contrary." — (Yearly  Meet- 
ing-) 

The  Meeting  for  Suiferings,  which  had  been  continued  from 
year  to  year,  was  now  established  as  a  permanent  institution ; 
but  "  the  right  of  changing  any  of  the  members"  was  carefully 
reserved,  and  never  has  been  surrendered  by  the  action  of  any 
subsequent  meeting. 

1771. — "  It  is  recommended  to  the  Meeting  for  Suiferings, 
to  take  upon  them  the  care  and  oversight  of  any  writings  which 
may  be  proposed  to  be  printed  ;  and  in  all  respects  to  under- 
take the  trust  heretofore  committed  to  a  number  of  Friends  ap- 
pointed by  this  meeting,  as  overseers  of  the  Press." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

1775. — "  As  various  occasions  of  diflaculty,  in  this  time  of 
outward  commotion,  may  arise,  nearly  affecting  our  religious 
Society ;  in  the  consideration  whereof,  in  our  Meeting  for  Suf- 
ferings, additional  assistance  and  strength  may  be  necessary, 
it  is  agreed  that  each  of  our  Quarterly  Meetings  should  nomi- 
nate four  judicious,  experienced  Friends,  residing  in  their  re- 
spective quarters,  to  join  with  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  in 
their  conferences  on  such  extraordinary  occasions,  to  whom 
that  meeting  is  to  give  seasonable  notice  thereof,  requesting 
their  attendance,"  &c. — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  increased  number  of  Quarterly  Meetings,  with  the  occa- 
sional appointment  of  assistants,  made  the  Meeting  for  Suffer- 
ings a  large  and  influential  body.  So  long  as  the  Quarterly 
Meetings  judiciously  exercised  their  prerogative  of  changing 
the  nominations,  little  danger  was  to  be  apprehended.  But  as 
the  practice  grew  and  increased,  of  continuing  the  same  Friends 
under  the  appointment,  they  came  at  length  to  claim  it  as  a 
right  or  privilege.  This  was  an  evidence  of  danger,  an  indica- 
tion that  there  was  an  iraperium  in  imperio,  a  power  growing 


BURLINGTON  QUARTER. 


35 


up  within  the  Yearly  Meeting,  more  willing  to  control  than  to 
be  controlled  by  its  authority. 


CHAPTER  III. 

BURLINGTON  QUARTER. 

1682.— "At  a  General  Meeting,  held  at  Salem,  in  the  Pro- 
vince of  West  New  Jersey,  on  the  llth  of  the  second  month, 
1682,  it  was  mutually  agreed  and  oi'dained  that  a  Quarterly 
Meeting  be  held  at  Burlington,  the  second  second  day  of  the 
fourth  month  next  ensuing." — (Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

"Burlington  Quarterly  Meeting  was  first  set  up  in  1682,  and 
held  at  the  house  of  William  Biddle  till  1711,  when  it  was 
agreed  to  be  held  alternate  at  the  meeting-houses  in  Burling- 
ton and  Chesterfield." — (S.  Smith.) 

I.— BURLINGTON  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1678. — "  Since,  by  the  good  providence  of  God,  many 
Friends,  with  their  families,  have  transported  themselves  into 
this  Province  of  West  New  Jersey,  the  said  Friends,  in  these 
upper  parts,  have  found  it  needful,  according  to  our  practice 
in  the  place  we  came  from,  to  settle  Monthly  Meetings  for  the 
well-ordering  of  the  affairs  of  the  Church. 

"  It  was  agreed  that,  accordingly,  it  should  be  done,  and 
accordingly  it  was  done  this  15th  of  fifth  month,  1678." — 
(Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

"  Their  Monthly  Meetings  were  set  up  in  1678,  and  were 
held  at  the  houses  of  John  Woolston  and  Thomas  Gardner,  till 
the  building  of  the  great  meeting-house  in  1696." — (S.  Smith.) 

The  general  prevalence  of  feelings  favorable  to  mutual 


36 


SETTLEMEOT  OF  MEETINGS. 


accommodation,  often  led  early  Friends  to  leave  their  meeting- 
houses and  hold  meetings  at  private  dwellings  for  the  conveni- 
ence of  individuals.  Thus  Burlington  Monthly  Meeting  i-ecords 
the  following  opening  minute  : — 

"  At  a  Monthly  Meeting,  held  at  Upland,  in  the  house  of 
Robert  Wade,  the  loth  of  the  9th  month,  1681." 

BURLINGTON. 

1677. — "  Meetings  for  worship  were  first  settled  in  Burling- 
ton in  1677.  They  were  first  held  under  tents  made  for  the 
purpose,  then  successively  at  the  houses  of  John  Woolston, 
Thomas  Gardner,  and  his  widow,  till  the  building  of  the  great 
meeting-house  in  1696." — (S.  Smith.) 

1682. — "  It  is  ordered  that  a  meeting-house  be  built,  accord- 
ing to  the  draught  of  a  six-square  building,  of  forty  feet  square 
from  out  to  out,"  &c. — (Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1691. — "  This  day  was  ordered  that  Bernard  Devenish 
should  not  suffer  the  court  to  be  kept  in  our  meeting-house 
any  more." — (Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

KANCOCAS. 

1681.  — "Thomas  Harding  and  John  Woolman  are  desired 
to  give  notice  to  the  Friends  of  Rancocas  to  confer  with  Friends 
here,  next  Monthly  Meeting,  about  the  meeting  there,  and  to 
give  the  meeting  an  account  of  it." 

Two  months  after,  "  It  is  agreed  that  the  meeting  at  Ran- 
cocas be  held  at  the  house  of  Thomas  Harding,"  &c. — (Bur- 
lington Monthly  Meeting.) 

OLD  SPRINGFIELD. 

1682.  — "  It  is  ordered  that  Friends  at  Esiskunk  Creek  have 
a  meeting  at  the  house  of  Thomas  Barton  on  first  days,  for  this 
■winter  season." — (Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1687. — "A  meeting  for  worship  was  set  up  in  1687  for 


BURLINGTON  QUARTER. 


37 


Friends  at  Esiskunk  Creek,  and  held  by  turns  at  the  houses  of 
Thomas  Barton,  John  Day,  and  John  Curtis." — (S.  Smith.) 

1694. — "  It  is  agreed  that  the  meeting-house  of  Springfield 
is  to  ho  built  of  the  hither  side  of  Mattacopany  bridge ;  that 
is,  if  the  land  be  to  be  had  convenient  for  the  meeting-house." — 
(Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1698. — "  Old  Springfield  meeting-house  was  built  in  1G98, 
and  the  meeting  settled  there  on  ground  given  by  Richard 
Ridgway."— (S.  Smith.) 

MANSFIELD  NECK. 

1753. — A  meeting  was  allowed  to  be  held  near  William  Fol- 
well's  (supposed  to  be  Lower  Mansfield),  on  first  days,  once  in 
three  weeks,  during  the  winter  season.  (See  Burlington 
Monthly  Meeting.)  In  1783  it  was  established,  with  the  privi- 
lege of  a  preparative  meeting.    It  has  since  been  discontinued. 

XL— CHESTERFIELD  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1684. — "  At  our  Monthly  Meeting,  at  Francis  Davenport's 
house,  near  Crosswick's  Creek,  the  place  now  called  Chester- 
field, in  New  Jersey,  the  2d  of  the  8th  month,  1684." 

A  prefaoa  to  the  ensuing  hook: — 

"  It  hath  pleased  the  mighty  God  and  great  Jehovah,  in  this 
last  age,  after  the  great  night  of  darkness  and  apostacy  Avhich 
hath  spread  over  nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and  people,  since 
the  glorious  days  in  which  the  Apostles  lived,  by  His  out- 
stretched gathering  arm,  and  by  the  word  of  His  eternal  power, 
to  gather  a  people,  who  was  weary  of  all  dead  forms  and  out- 
side professions,  into  a  waiting  frame  of  spirit,  where  we  durst 
not  think  our  own  thoughts  nor  speak  our  own  words  in  things 
relating  to  His  kingdom  and  way  of  worship.  And,  being  thus 
brought  down  by  the  mighty  power  of  God,  we  were  the  more 
capable  to  receive  instruction  from  Him,  who,  through  and  by 


38 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


His  Son,  Christ  Jesus,  the  true  light  that  lighteth  every  one 
that  Cometh  into  the  world,  appeared  in  us,  and  taught  us  His 
way  and  worship,  which  is  in  spirit  and  truth.  This  He  taught 
us  while  we  were  in  Old  England,  our  native  land,  which,  we 
may  say,  through  the  great  mercy  of  the  Lord,  was,  in  this 
latter  age,  the  first  of  nations  where  the  Lord  appeared  in  so 
mighty  a  power  and  bright  shining  glory,  to  the  gathering  of 
thousands  into  His  fold,  whereby  his  people  became  a  body, 
whereof  Christ  is  the  head.  And  then,  the  Lord  our  God,  as 
he  did  unto  Paul  and  the  elders  of  the  churches  in  the  Apostles' 
days,  begat  a  godly  care  in  the  hearts  of  some  of  His  people, 
whom  He  had  gathered  and  brought  into  a  living  sense  of  His 
works  in  this  day ;  and  also  of  the  mysterious  workings  of  the 
enemy  of  all  good,  who  in  all  ages,  as  the  Scriptures  of  truth 
fully  testify,  labored,  by  his  subtlety  and  transformings,  to 
draw  the  Lord's  people  into  looseness  and  disorder,  that  so  the 
precious  truth  and  pure  way  of  the  Lord  might  be  dishonored, 
and  His  worthy  name  blasphemed. 

"We  say  the  Lord  hath  set  some  as  watchmen  upon  the  walls 
of  Jerusalem,  and  hath  laid  a  godly  care,  and  a  necessity  upon 
some  of  his  people,  that  all  things  in  the  Church  of  Christ  may 
be  kept  sweet  and  clean,  and  that  marriages,  and  all  other 
things  relating  to  the  Church  affairs,  may  be  performed  in  the 
good  order  of  the  Gospel  of  peace.  Therefore,  in  the  wisdom 
and  counsel  of  God,  it  was  seen  meet  that  first  day  and 
weekly  meetings  might  be  appointed,  and  diligently  kept  unto, 
for  edification  and  the  worshipping  of  God  ;  and  Monthly, 
Quarterly,  and  Yearly  Meetings  might  be  appointed,  and  dili- 
gently kept  unto,  by  all  such  who  are  of  an  honest  conversation 
as  becomes  Truth,  and  have  the  weight  of  the  Lord's  work  in 
this,  our  day,  and  the  care  of  the  Church  upon  them ;  for  the 
siettling  and  ordering  of  the  affairs  thereof,  and  to  admonish 
and  give  advice  to  such  as  stand  in  need  thereof.  And  the 
Lord,  by  his  providence  and  mighty  power,  hath  brought  some 
of  his  people  out  of  their  native  country,  over  the  great  deep,  into 
this  wilderness,  and  remote  part  of  the  world,  as  West  Jersey, 
and  places  adjacent,  where  He  hath  laid  the  same  Aveight  and 


BURLINGTON  QUARTER. 


39 


care  upon  some  of  us,  as  he  did  in  our  native  land ;  that  all 
things  may  be  well  among  us,  to  the  honor  of  his  great  and  worthy 
name;  which  is  the  ground  and  end  of  this  following  book. 

"John  Willsford, 
"Francis  Davenport. 
"William  Watson." 
(Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting.) 

CHESTERFIELD. 

1677. — "  Chesterfield  Meeting  was  settled  about  the  year 
1680,  and  their  meeting-house  built  about  the  same  time.  But 
a  meeting  for  worship  on  first  days,  was  continued  from  the 
first  settlement  of  the  English  in  1677,  at  the  house  of  Thomas 
Lambert,  until  the  building  of  the  said  meeting-house." — (S. 
Smith.) 

STONY  BROOK. 

1710. — This  meeting  was  indulged  by  Chesterfield  Monthly 
Meeting,  to  be  held  once  in  three  months. 
In  1724,  a  committee  reported  that — 

"  A  house  may  be  built  of  stone,  thirty-four  feet  long  and 
thirty  feet  wide,  and  finished,  so  far  as  to  render  it  useful,  as 
they  think,  for  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  new 
money." — (Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  house  was  built,  and  the  meeting  established  in  1726. 

A  M  W  E  L  L. 

1727. — A  meeting  was  allowed  to  be  kept  every  first  day,  at 
the  house  of  John  Stephenson,  at  Amwell,  by  the  Monthly 
Meeting  of  Chesterfield.    It  has  since  been  dropped. 

ALLENTOWN. 

1727. — There  was  also  a  meeting  held  about  this  time  at 
Allentown,  under  the  direction  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  of 
Chesterfield. 


40 


SETTLEMENT  OP  MEETINGS. 


TRENT  TOWN. 

1734. — "  Our  friend,  Isaac  Ilanam,  with  other  Friends, 
requested  liberty  to  keep  a  meeting  for  Avorship  at  Trent  Town 
on  first  days,  hoping  it  may  be  of  good  service.  Therefore  this 
meeting  grants  them  tlieir  request  for  six  months,  and  longer, 
as  it  may  be  found  of  good  service." — (Chesterfield  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

"  In  1740,  the  meeting-house  at  Trenton  was  built,  and  the 
meeting  for  worship  settled." — (S.  Smith.) 

BORDENTOWN. 

1740. — "The  meeting  at  BordentoAvn  was  settled  in  1740, 
and  their  meeting-house  built  in  the  same  year,  on  ground  given 
■by  Joseph  Borden." — (S.  Smith.) 

III.— LITTLE  EGa  HARBOR  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1715. — "Having  considered  Edward  Andrews's  proposition, 
concerning  the  establishing  a  Monthly  Meeting  at  Little  Egg 
Harbor,  do  refer  it  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting,"  where  it  was 
approved. — (Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting.) 

LITTLE     EGG  HARBOR. 

1704. — "  The  meeting  at  Little  Egg  Harbor  was  first  settled 
in  1704,  and  a  meeting-house  built  in  1709." — (S.  Smith.) 

In  1714,  a  preparative  meeting  was  allowed  them. 

IV.— MOUNT  HOLLY  BIONTHLY  MEETING. 

1776. — Mount  Holly  Monthly  Meeting  was  constituted  in 
the  year  177G,  by  a  division  of  Burlington  Monthly  Meeting. 
It  was  composed  of  Mount  Holly  and  Shrevesmount  Meetings, 
and  of  Old  Springfield  and  Upper  Springfield  Meetings. 

As  regards  the  number  of  members,  the  division  was  as  fol- 


BURLINGTON  QUARTER. 


41 


lows.  See  a  report,  on  Burlington  record,  signed  by  George 
Dillwjn  : — 

Burlir.gton  Moiitlily  Meeting.   Mount  Holly  iMontlily  iMeeting. 


Burlington, 

.  193 

Rancocas,  . 

.  133 

Mansfield,  . 

90 

Mansfield  Neck, 

GO 

Old  Springfield, . 

.  lot) 

50 

Upper  Springfield, 

5 

80 

Mount, 

104 

Mount  Holly, 

388 

587 

G22 

MOUNT  HOLLY. 

It  appears  that  Shrevesmount,  on  the  east  of  the  present 
Mount  Holly,  was  formerly  known  by  that  name,  while  the 
latter  was  called  Bridgton. 

1687. — "  The  Weekly  Meeting  being  on  fourth  day,  that 
used  to  be  kept  at  Thomas  Olive's  and  John  Woolman's,  is  now 
ordered  to  be  kept  at  Daniel  Wills's  weekly." — (Burlington 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

"In  1704,  a  meeting  was  settled  at  Restore  Lippincott's,  to 
be  held  for  the  winter  season." — (S.  Smith.) 

171G. — "Whereas  there  was  one  little  meeting  kept  at  two 
places,  one  at  Restore  Lippincott's,  and  one  at  Daniel  Wills's, 
which  hath  been  held  for  a  considerable  time ;  but  now  there 
is  a  meeting-house  built  at  Mount  Holly  for  to  accommodate 
those  two  meetings,  and  those  belonging  to  those  meetings 
desire  to  be  removed  to  the  said  meeting-house,  which  is  ap- 
proved and  allowed  of  by  the  said  meeting." — (Burlington 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1742.—"  The  Friends  of  Mount  Holly,  alias  Bridgton,  re- 
quested of  this  meeting  liberty  to  hold  a  6rst  day  evening  meet- 
ing in  Bridgton,  for  the  winter  season  :  which  is  allowed  of  by 
this  meeting." — (Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 


42 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


MOUNT.  (sIIREVE'S.) 

1743. — "  The  meeting  having  considered  the  application  of 
sundry  Friends,  belonging  to  the  upper  part  of  Mount  Holly 
Meeting,  do  consent  that  they  hold  a  meeting,  according  to 

their  request  Michael  Atkinson  and  Benjamin  Carter 

are  to  have  the  oversight  of  said  meeting."  —  (Burlington 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

VINCENT -  TOWN. 

1765. — "  A  written  proposal  from  sundry  Friends,  for  keep- 
ing an  afternoon  meeting  during  the  summer,  at  a  schoolhouse 
lately  erected  near  William  Bishop's,  was  now  read  and  agreed 
to."— (Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

v.— UPPER  SPRINGFIELD  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1783. — The  new  Monthly  Meeting  of  Upper  Springfield  was 
constituted  of  parts  of  Burlington  and  Chesterfield  Monthly 
Meetings,  viz.,  of  Upper  Springfield,  a  branch  of  Burlington, 
and  of  Mansfield  and  Upper  Freehold,  branches  of  Chesterfield 
Monthly  Meeting.  It  was  approved  by  Burlington  Quarterly 
Meeting,  in  the  8th  month,  1782,  and  opened  in  the  5th 
month  following. — (See  Burlington  and  Chesterfield  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

UPPER  SPRINGFIELD. 

1728. — "  The  Meeting  at  Upper  Springfield  was  settled  in 
1728,  and  their  meeting-house  built  the  same  year,  upon  ground 
had  of  Joshua  Shreve." — (S.  Smith.) 

MANSFIELD. 

1731. — "  The  Meeting  at  Mansfield  was  settled  in  the  year 
1731,  and  the  meeting-house  built  the  same  year,  on  ground 
purchased  of  Francis  Gibbs." — (S.  Smith.) 


SALEM  QUARTER. 


43 


UPPER   FREEHOLD  (wOODWARD's). 

1739.  — "  Isaac  Foreman,  Joseph  Arney,  and  several  inhabi- 
tants near  there,  requested  liberty  of  this  meeting  to  keep  a 
meeting  every  first  day,  at  a  house  of  Joseph  Arney's  ;  and 
this  meeting  gave  consent  that  they  have  liberty  to  keep  a 
meeting  for  one  year." — (Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1740.  — "This  meeting  gives  liberty  to  the  inhabitants  near 
Thomas  Woodward's,  to  make  application  to  the  Quarterly 
meeting  for  a  meeting-house,  according  to  their  request." — 
(Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1742.—"  The  Meeting  at  Woodward's  was  settled  in  1742, 
and  their  meeting-house  built  the  same  year,  on  land  given 
by  Joseph  Arney." — (S.  Smith.) 


CHAPTER 

SALEM  QUARTER. 

1682. — "At  a  General  Meeting,  held  at  Salem,  in  the  Pro- 
vince of  West  New  Jersey,  the  11th  of  the  2d  month,  1682, 

"  It  was  ordered,  that  a  Quarterly  Meeting  be  held  at  Salem, 
the  third  second  day  of  the  9th  month  next  ensuing." — (Bur- 
lington Monthly  Meeting.) 

1686.—"  At  a  Yearly  Meeting,  held  in  Burlington,  the  8th 
day  of  the  7th  month,  1686, 

"  Friends  of  this  meeting  ordered,  the  Monthly  Meeting  of 
Salem,  and  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Newton,  make  up  one 
Quarterly  Meeting,  to  be  held  at  Salem  the  first  second  day 
in  the  9th  month  ;  next  at  Newton,  the  first  second  day  in  the 
12th  month  ;  next  at  Salem,  the  first  second  day  in  the  3d 
month ;  next  at  Newton,  the  first  second  day  in  the  6th 
month  ; — and  so  to  continue  yearly." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 


44 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


The  Quarterly  Meeting  appears  to  have  been  held  at  Salem 
until  the  opening  of  Woodbury  Monthly  Meeting,  in  1785, 
when  it  was  held  alternate  at  that  place  till  1837 ;  at  which 
time  it  was  concluded  to  hold  it  once  in  the  year  at  Salem, 
once  at  Woodbury,  and  twice  at  Woodstown,  as  at  the  present 
time. 

I.— SALEM  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1676. — "  At  a  meeting  held  the  first  day  of  the  sixth  month, 
1676,  it  was  unanimously  consented  thereto  that  the  first 
second  day  of  the  week,  in  every  month,  the  Friends  within 
the  town  of  New  Salem  in  Fenwick's  colony,  and  all  Friends 
belonging  thereunto,  do  monthly  meet  together,  to  consider 
of  outward  business,  and  of  such  as  have  been  convinced,  and 
those  that  walked  disorderly ;  that  they  may,  with  all  gravity 
and  uprightness  to  God,  and  in  tenderness  of  spirit  and  love 
to  their  souls,  be  admonished,  exhorted,  and  also  reproved,  and 
their  evil  deeds  and  practices  testified  against,  in  the  wisdom 
of  God,  and  authority  of  Truth,  as  may  answer  the  wisdom  of 
God  within  them." — (Salem  Monthly  Meeting.) 

SALEM. 

1675. — "  In  the  fall  of  1675,  John  Fenwick  arrived  in  this 
country,  and  landed  on  a  neck  of  land,  about  three  miles  from 
the  river  Delaware,  up  the  Asamhockin,  which  is  now  called 
Salem  Creek.  Nearly  all  the  emigrants  that  came  out  with 
him  were  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  The  most 
prominent  among  them  were,  Robert,  Samuel,  and  Edward 
Wade,  Samuel  Nicholson,  Nathan  Smart,  Edward  Champney, 
Samuel  Hedge,  Richard  Guy,  John  Thompson,  John  Smith, 
and  John  Adams.  Friends  held  their  meetings  at  the  house 
of  Samuel  Nicholson." — (Thomas  Shourds.) 

"  Friends  who  came  with  John  Fenwick,  in  1675,  first  held 
their  meetings  for  worship  at  each  other's  houses;  and  some- 
times joined  with  Friends  who  settled  at  Robert  Wade's  Land- 
ing, now  called  Chester." — (S.  Smith.) 


SALEM  QUARTER. 


45 


The  brick  meeting-house  at  the  graveyard  Avas  built  in  1700, 
at  a  cost  of  ,£415;  which  proving  too  small,  they  purchased 
ground  and  erected  another  house,  in  1772. 

Thompson's  bridge  (noav  allowaystown). 

"  In  the  beginning  of  the  last  century  there  was  a  Friends' 
meeting  established  at  Thompson's  Bridge,  now  known  as  Allo- 
waystown,  which  was  attended  by  a  number  of  highly  respect- 
able families, — the  Thompsons,  Oakfords,  Hoggs,  Craigs,  and 
others ;  but  there  are  only  three  families  of  Friends  residing 
there  at  this  time  who  attend  Salem  Meeting." — (Thomas 
Shourds.) 

II.— GREENWICH  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1770  ?— "  About  the  year  1770  Greenwich  Monthly  Meeting 
was  established,  by  the  preparative  meetings  of  Greenwich  and 
Alloway's  Creek  uniting,  to  be  held  alternately.  Before  that 
time,  the  members  of  both  meetings  belonged  to  Salem  Monthly 
Meeting." — (Thomas  Shourds.) 

To  the  foregoing  were  afterward  added  those  of  Maurice 
River  and  Cape  May. 

alloway's  CREEK. 

1678. — "  John  Denn,  Christopher  White,  Samuel  Wade, 
Joseph  Ware,  Richard  Hancock,  Nathaniel  Chambless,  James 
Daniel,  Edward  Bradway,  and  other  Friends,  settled  about 
Alloway's  Creek.  They  held  meetings  at  John  Denn's  house 
till  1684,  when  a  meeting-house  was  built  on  the  north  side  of 
the  creek,  for  the  sum  of  forty  pounds.  About  1710,  on  ac- 
count of  the  difficulty  of  crossing  the  creek,  another  house  was 
built  on  the  south  side,  near  its  first  location,  where  it  con- 
tinued until  about  the  year  1754,  when  the  present  house  was 
built,  in  the  village  of  Hancock's  Bridge." — (Thomas  Shourds.) 


46 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


GREENWICH. 

1694. — "  Greenwich  Meeting  was  established  in  1G94  by 
Mark  Reeve  and  others." — (Thomas  Shourds.) 

III.— WOODBURY  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1783. — "At  a  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  at  Salem,  the  19th 
of  fifth  month,  1783,  Iladdonfield,  in  their  report,  sends  up  for 
the  advice  and  approbation  of  this  meeting,  a  proposal,  which 
has  taken  place,  and  appears  to  be  the  sense  of  that  meeting, 
that  a  division  of  that  meeting  be  made,  and  a  Monthly  Meet- 
ing be  made  at  Haddonfield  for  that  particular  meeting,  and 
another  at  Woodbury  for  that  and  Upper  Greenwich." 

"And  on  the  15th  of  11th  month,  1784,  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing acceded  to  the  proposition,  and  appointed  Edward  Darnel, 
Samuel  Allison,  William  Goodwin,  Mark  Miller,  Mark  Reeve, 
and  Edward  Bradway  to  attend  the  opening  of  the  new  Monthly 
Meeting." 

"  And  it  is  also  recommended  to  the  said  meetings  when 
divided,  to  feel  after  each  other,  and  to  sit  together  at  their 
Monthly  Meetings,  as  they  may  feel  their  minds  drawn  and 
engaged  thereto,  from  time  to  time." 

1785.— "  Woodbury  Monthly  Meeting  first  held,  11th  of  1st 
month,  1785. 

"This  being  the  day  fixed  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting  for 
Gloucester  and  Salem,  to  hold  the  first  Monthly  Meeting  at 
this  place,  for  Woodbury  and  Upper  GreenAvich,  after  a  solemn 
time  of  worship,  in  which  several  living  testimonies  were  borne, 
Friends  proceeded  to  business." — (Woodbury  Monthly  Meet- 
ing-) 

The  Monthly  Meeting  was  continued  at  Woodbury  till  1845, 
since  when  it  has  alternated  between  the  two  meetings, 

WOODBURY. 

1696. — "  The  Meeting  at  Woodbury  was  first  established  to 
be  kept  at  the  house  of  John  Wood,  in  the  sixth  month,  1696; 


SALEM  QUARTER. 


47 


but  their  meeting-liouse  being  soon  after  built,  it  hath  been 
since  kept  there." — (S.  Smith.) 

UPPER    GREENWICH  —  FORMERLY  LIPPINCOTT'S 

MEETING. 

1740. — Among  the  early  settlers  at  this  place,  the  names  of 
Lippincott,  Fisher,  Hootcn,  Cozens,  Zane,  Mickle,  Wood, 
Bates,  &c.,  occur.  A  small  frame  meeting-house  was  built 
about  the  year  1740,  on  a  lot  of  ground  granted  for  that  pur- 
pose by  Solomon  Lippincott.  The  meeting  held  therein  was  a 
branch  of  Haddonfield  Monthly  Meeting  until  the  year  1785, 
at  which  time  the  meetings  of  Woodbury  and  Upper  Greenwich 
were  separated,  to  constitute  Woodbury  Monthly  Meeting. 

In  1798,  a  large  and  commodious  two-story  brick  meeting- 
house was  erected,  on  ground  granted  for  the  use  of  Friends  by 
Samuel  Tonkin  and  Samuel  Mickle.  This  house  is  located  one 
and  a  half  miles  east  of  the  former  one.  The  first  mentioned 
lot  is  still  held  for  a  burying-ground. 

A  preparative  meeting  existed  at  Upper  Greenwich  as  early 
as  the  year  1775. 

A  Friend  adds  the  following  encouraging  note  : — 

"  In  the  year  1808  two  Friends  conveyed  to  the  meeting  a 
lot  of  ground,  adjoining  the  premises,  of  two  acres  and  ten 
perches,  whereon  to  erect  a  schoolhouse,  for  play  grounds, 
&c. ;  and  the  meeting,  the  next  year,  raised  the  necessary  funds 
and  built  a  large  brick  house  for  the  use  of  the  members  AND 
THE  NEIGHBORHOOD.  The  school  is  under  the  exclusive  care 
of  the  preparative  meeting.  Suitable  apparatus  is  provided 
for  illustrating  the  higher  branches  of  science,  and  an  extensive 
and  well-selected  library  established."  I  would  say  to  Friends 
everywhere,  go  and  do  likewise.. 

IV.— PILESGROVE  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1794.—"  At  a  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  at  Haddonfield,  the 
21st  of  the  third  month,  1794,  Salem  Monthly  proposing  for 


48 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


consideration  the  dividing  of  that  meeting,  and  holding  a 

Monthly  Meeting  at  Pilesgrove,  the  proposal  is 

approved,  and  the  said  meeting  established  Samuel 

E-obcrts,  Bethuel  Moore,  Enoch  Jones,  John  Haines,  Thomas 
Thorn,  Samuel  Webster,  James  Whitehall,  Samuel  Paul,  John 
Stewart,  Richard  Wood,  and  Samuel  Townsend,  are  appointed 
to  attend  the  opening  thereof. 
"  Extracted  from  the  minutes. 

"Thomas  Redman,  Cleric.'" 

1794. — "  At  the  close  of  the  meeting  for  -worship  at  Piles- 
grove,  the  24th  of  fourth  month,  1794,  a  minute  of  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting,  establishing  a  Monthly  Meeting  to  be  there 
hereafter  held,  was  produced  and  read;  and  the  Friends  therein 
named  to  attend  being  present,  the  meeting  of  business  opened 
accordingly." — (Pilesgrove  Monthly  Meeting.) 

PILESGROVE  —  AT  WOODSTOWN. 

No  record  obtained. 

UPPER    PENN'S  neck. 

1794. — The  meeting  at  Upper  Penn's  Neck  appears  to  have 
been  indulged  by  Salem  Monthly  Meeting,  previous  to  the  es- 
tablishment of  that  of  Pilesgrove,  in  1794.  The  indulgence 
■was  continued  by  the  latter  meeting,  by  which  it  was  established, 
and  a  preparative  meeting  allowed  in  179G,  about  which  time 
the  meeting-house  was  built.  It  was  rebuilt  in  1857,  and  occu- 
pies a  conspicuous  position  in  Pedricktown. — (See  Pilesgrove 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

WOOLWICH  —  AT    M  U  L  L  I  C  A  HILL. 

1797. — A  Friend  writes  that  "  Liberty  was  granted  to 
Friends  of  Woolwich  to  hold  a  meeting  in  the  schoolhouse  at 
Mullica  Hill,  to  commence  on  the  first  first  day  of  the  eleventh 
month,  1797,  and  which  was  continued  from  time  to  time  until 
the  meeting  was  established.  It  was  composed  of  members  of 
Pilesgrove  and  Woodbury  Monthly  Meetings." 


SALEM  QUARTER. 


49 


v.— MAURICE  RIVER  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1805. — "  Maurice  River  Monthly  Meeting  was  established 
in  1805,  and  continued  till  1855,  when  the  meeting  there  being 
reduced  to  a  few  families,  they  were  attached  to  Greenwich 
Monthly  Meeting,  by  their  own  desire," — (Thomas  Shourds.) 

1855. — "Maurice  River  Preparative  and  Monthly  Meetings, 
have  at  their  own  request  been  discontinued,  and  the  members 
attached  to  Greenwich  Monthly  Meeting." — (Yearly  Meeting 
Extracts.) 

VI.— GREAT  EGG  HARBOR  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

 ? — "A  Monthly  Meeting  hath  been  held  there  for  some 

years,  composed  of  the  Friends  who  live  there,  and  those  of 
Cape  May ;  they  belong  to  Salem  and  Gloucester  Quarterly 
Meeting."— (S.  Smith.) 

On  the  division  of  Haddonfield  Quarter  from  that  of  Salem, 
Great  Egg  Harbor  and  Cape  May  Monthly  Meeting  was  em- 
braced in  Haddonfield.  The  Monthly  Meeting  was  discon- 
tinued in  ? 

GREAT    EGG  HARBOR. 

1702. — "  The  first  convincement  of  Friends  about  Great  Eo-g 
Harbor,  was  about  the  year  1702 ;  since  which,  meetings  have 
been  settled  there,  and  two  meeting-houses  built." — (S.  Smith.) 

It  is  probable  that  one  of  the  houses  referred  to,  was  that 
at  Cape  May.  The  meeting  at  Great  Egg  Harbor  has  been 
discontinued,  and  the  few  remaining  members  attached  to 
Greenwich. 

CAPE  MAY. 

The  meeting  at  Cape  May  was  established  early,  and  then 
formed  a  part  of  Great  Egg  Harbor  Monthly  Meeting. 

4 


50 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


CHAPTER  V. 

PHILADELPHIA  QUARTER. 

The  few  Friends  -who  had  settled  on  the  west  side  of  the 
Delaware,  previous  to  the  arrival  of  William  Penn,  attended 
the  Monthly,  Quarterly,  and  Yearly  Meetings,  of  Burlington, 
the  former  of  which  was  held  at  various  places,  to  accommodate 
the  more  distant  members.    Thus  we  read, 

"  At  a  Monthly  Meeting,  held  at  Upland,  in  the  house  of 
Robert  Wade,  the  15th  of  the  9th  month,  1681."— (Burlington 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

But  soon  after  the  arrival  of  William  Penn  at  the  intended 
site  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  following  year,  it  was  ordered, — 

1682. — "  That  notice  be  given  to  Friends,  the  next  first  day, 
that  as  many  as  can  conveniently,  may  meet  at  Shackamaxon, 
in  order  to  appoint  other  meetings,  where  it  may  be  thought 
meet." — (Abington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Accordingly,  "  Friends  belonging  to  the  meeting  in  Phila- 
delphia, in  the  province  of  Pennsylvania,  being  met,  in  the  fear 
and  power  of  the  Lord,  at  the  present  meeting-place  in  the  said 
city,  the  9th  day  of  the  11th  month,  being  the  third  day  of  the 
week,  in  the  year  1682,  they  did  take  into  consideration 
the  settlement  of  meetings  therein,  for  the  affairs  and  service 
of  the  Truth,  according  to  that  godly  and  comely  practice, 
which  they  had  received  and  enjoyed,  with  true  satisfaction, 
among  their  friends  and  brethren,  in  the  land  of  their  nativity. 
And  did  then  and  there  agree,  that  the  first  third  day  in  the 
week,  .in  every  month,  shall  hereafter  be  the  Monthly  Meeting 
day,  for  the  men's  and  women's  meetings  for  the  affairs  and 
service  of  Truth,  in  this  city  and  county,  and  every  third  meet- 
ing shall  be  the  Quai'terly  Meeting  for  the  same." 

"  The  next  thing  considered  was  a  fit  place  to  build  a  meet- 


rillLADKMMllA  QrAllTKIl 


6 

Reading  \ 


SCALE:  iOiailt"s  to  a^nmch. 


\  VnJ/fy 


Ocnnaufmii 


Fd  irhiJl  w 


Ea-c^  St. 


3prtice  Sh 


PIIILADELPIIIA  QUARTER. 


51 


ing-houso  ia  the  city,  as  also  the  manner  of  buikling  it." — (S. 
Smith.) 

In  the  same  year,  Richard  Townsend  writes :  "  Our  first 
concern  was  to  keep  up  and  maintain  our  religious  Avorship ; 
and  in  order  thereto,  we  had  several  meetings  in  the  houses  of 
the  inhabitants,  and  one  boarded  meeting-house  was  set  up 
where  the  city  was  to  be." 

Although  the  above  arrangement  seems  to  have  been  made 
without  much  regard  to  the  meetings  in  New  Jersey,  to  which 
they  had  previously  belonged,  yet,  as  we  have  already  seen, 
the  utmost  harmony  continued  to  prevail  among  them. 

It  is  probable  that  the  same  convention  which  established 
the  Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meetings,  also  concluded  to  hold 
an  independent  Yearly  Meeting  in  Philadelphia ;  for  it  was  a 
favorite  idea  with  Friends  of  those  days  to  hold  a  Yearly  Meet- 
ing in  each  province,  a  Quarterly  Meeting  in  each  county,  and 
a  Monthly  Meeting  in  each  township,  where  Friends  were 
suiBciently  numerous  to  do  so.    It  is,  however,  recorded, — 

1683.—"  At  a  Monthly  Meeting  at  Burlington,  the  6th  of 
the  first  month,  1683,  Friends  in  Pensylvania  desireth  to  have 
a  Monthly  men's  and  women's  Meetings,  which  was  readily  and 
freely  assented  to  by  Friends  in  this  meeting." 

I  — PHILADELPHIA  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1682.— "At  a  General  Meeting,  held  at  Salem,  in  the  pro- 
vince of  West  New  Jersey,  the  11th  of  the  second  month, 
1682,  it  was  ordered  that  a  six  weeks'  men's  and  women's 
meetings,  for  the  ordering  of  the  affairs  of  the  Church,  be  kept 
the  24th  day  of  the  third  month  at  William  Cooper's,  and  the 
next  six  weeks'  meeting  at  Thomas  Fairraan's,  at  Shackamaxon, 
and  so  in  course."- — (Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

By  the  conclusion  of  the  meeting  in  Philadelphia,  already 


52 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


quoted,  this  six  weeks'  meeting  was  annulled,  and  the  Monthly 
Meeting  of  Philadelphia  established  in  its  place. 

Reliable  information  is  wanting  to  determine  the  location  of 
the  "present  meeting-place,"  the  "boarded  meeting-liouse, 
•which  was  set  up  in  1G82,  where  the  city  was  to  be,"  as  men- 
tioned above.  It  is  probable,  however,  that  these  phrases  are 
sjmonymous,  and  that  the  said  "  boarded  house"  was  located 
on  Front  Street,  above  Arch,  where  the  Bank  meeting-house 
was  afterwards  built,  in  1685. 

It  is  said  that  the  Assembly,  which  first  convened  in  Phila- 
delphia on  the  10th  of  the  first  month,  1683,  and  consisted  of 
seventy-two  members,  met  in  the  "  boarded  meeting-house," 
and  probably  continued  to  meet  there  until  the  erection  of  the 
court-house  in  Market  Street,  in  1707. 

1685. — "The  Friends'  meeting,  in  Front  Street  above  Arch 
Street,  built  in  1685,  was  originally  intended  for  an  evening 
meeting."  "  The  Bank  meeting  had  its  front  on  the  Front 
Street.  The  pediment  at  the  front  door  was  supported  by 
columns.  At  that  door  the  men  entered.  On  the  southern 
side  was  a  double  door,  covered  by  a  shed,  by  one  of  which  the 
women  entered.  At  those  doors  was  the  entrance  for  men  and 
women  to  the  gallery ;  tlie  men  going  to  the  east,  and  the 
women  to  the  west.  Originally  the  meeting  had  no  board  par- 
tition, but  a  curtain  was  used  when  they  held  a  preparative 
meeting.  The  preacher's  gallery  was  on  the  north  side.  The 
house  was  fifty  feet  front,  by  thirty-eight  feet  wide,  and  the 
green  yard  in  front,  within  the  brick  inclosure  or  wall,  was 
fourteen  feet  wide."  "It  was  sold  and  taken  down  in  1789, 
at  the  time  it  became  useless,  by  their  building  '  the  new  meet- 
ing-house' in  Key's  Alley." — (Watson's  Annals,  p.  335.) 

In  1695,  the  "  great  meeting-house,"  on  the  southwest 
corner  of  Market  and  Second  Streets,  was  built,  at  a  cost  of 
six  hundred  and  sixteen  pounds.  It  was  further  enlarged  in 
1755. 

An  amusing  incident  occurred  in  one  of  the  meetings  held 


PHILADELPHIA  QUARTER. 


53 


here.  The  sleepers,  if  there  were  any  in  those  clays,  -were 
suddenly  awakened  by  a  neighboring  parrot  entering  the 
house,  and  calling  out,  "  Hannah  Roberts !  Poll  wants  her 
breakfast." 

As  the  noise  and  pressure  of  business  increased  along  the 
market-place,  Friends  deemed  it  expedient  to  sell  the  property, 
and  remove  the  meeting  to  the  yet  larger  house  on  the  corner 
of  Arch  and  Fourth  Streets,  which  was  built  in  1804. 

The  Monthly  Meeting  of  Philadelphia  was  held  successively 
at  the  several  houses  above  mentioned,  until  the  division  of 
Society  in  1827.  After  which,  it  was  temporarily  held  in 
Carpenter's  Hall,  Chestnut  below  Fourth  Street,  till  the  meet- 
ing-house on  Cherry  near  Fifth  Street  was  built,  in  the  same 
year,  at  which  place  it  continued  to  be  held  until  the  comple- 
tion of  the  new  house  on  Cherry  Street  above  Fifteenth.  The 
first  Monthly  Meeting  held  in  this  house  was  in  the  second 
month,  1857. 

WEST  PHILADELPHIA  MEETING. 

1837. — "  The  joint  committee  of  men  and  women  Friends 
appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the  opening  of  an  indulged 
meeting  at  West  Philadelphia,  having  twice  met  and  deliberated 
thereon,  feci  willing  to  recommend  to  the  Monthly  Meeting 
that  an  indulged  meeting  for  worship,  on  first  day  mornings, 
under  the  care  of  a  committee,  be  opened  at  West  Philadel- 
phia, to  commence,  &c.  &c. 

"  Signed,  on  behalf  of  the  committee, 

"  Samuel  Haydock, 
"James  Martin, 
"  Susanna  Haydock, 
"  Mary  Biddle." 
(Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  report  was  adopted,  and  the  meeting  has  since  been 
regularly  continued,  under  the  care  of  the  Monthly  Meeting. 
For  a  time,  it  was  held  in  a  room,  provided  for  the  purpose, 


54 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


until  a  lot  was  obtained,  and  a  meeting-house  erected  thereon. 
The  first  meeting  held  in  the  new  house  was  on  the  22d  of  the 
ninth  month,  1851. 

Note. — I  shall  here  depart  from  the  chronological  order  of 
the  Monthly  Meetings,  to  prevent  a  separation  of  those  which 
belong  to  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 

ir.— PIIILADELPniA  MONTHLY  MEETING  (NORTHERN  DISTRICT). 

1772. — The  meeting  at  the  Bank  meeting-house  appears  to 
have  been  continued  after  the  erection  of  the  Market  Street 
house.  And  as  Friends  became  more  numerous  and  widely 
scattered,  it  was  found  expedient  to  increase  the  number  of 
Monthly  Meetings.  One  on  the  north  Avas  first  held  at  the 
Bank  meeting-house,  on  third  day,  the  24th  of  the  eleventh 
month,  1772.  Friends  finding  themselves  greatly  incommoded 
by  the  grading  of  the  street,  built  a  meeting-house  in  Key's 
Alley,  and  removed  the  meeting  thereto  in  the  year  1789, 
where  it  was  continued  till  the  division  in  1827,  at  which  time 
Friends  Avithdrew  therefrom.  The  property  has  since  been 
sold  for  public  school  purposes. 

III.— SPRUCE  STREET  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

(Formerly  Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting,  for  the  Southeni  District, 
on  Pine  Street.) 

1772.—"  On  the  25th  day  of  the  11th  month,  being  the  fourth 
of  the  week,  1772,  divers  men  and  Avomen  Friends  assembled 
in  our  meeting-house  on  Fourth  Street,  being  the  first  Monthly 
Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia  for  the  Southern  District, 
appointed  for  the  maintaining  of  the  testimony  of  Truth  and 
our  Christian  discipline,  Avithin  the  limits  prescribed  for  the  said 
Monthly  Meeting.  The  extracts  from  the  minutes  of  the 
Monthly  Meetings  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia,  and  of  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  by  which  it  was  established,  were  read,"  &c. — 
(Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting  for  the  Southern  District.) 


PHILADELPHIA  QUARTER. 


55 


After  the  division  of  Society  in  1827,  Friends  Avitlidrew,  and 
were  temporarily  joined  with  Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting, 
held  on  Cherry  Street.  They  subsequently  purchased  a  lot, 
and  erected  a  meeting-house,  on  Spruce  Street  near  Ninth,  and 
resumed  the  Monthly  Meeting,  which  was  first  held  therein  in 
the  year  1833,  and  has  so  continued. 

PINE  STREET. 

1753. — According  to  Watson,  the  "  Hill  Meeting"  on  Pine 
Street  was  built  in  1753.  In  which  year,  I  am  informed,  the 
Yearly  Meeting  was  held  therein. 

SPRUCE  STREET. 

1833. — See  as  above. 

IV.— PHILADELPHIA  MONTHLY  MEETING,  WESTERN  DISTRICT, 
TWELFTH  STREET. 

1814. — "  It  is  agreed  to  propose  to  the  judgment  of  the 
Quarterly  Meeting,  that  a  Monthly  Meeting  be  held  on  the 
fourth  day  preceding  the  last  sixth  day  but  one  in  the  month, 
and  a  preparative  meeting  in  the  week  preceding  the  Monthly 
Meeting." 

The  foregoing  is  an  extract  from  the  minute  of  Philadelphia 
Monthly  Meeting,  dated  27th  of  first  month,  1814,  which  was 
sent  up  to,  and  approved  by,  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  the  7th  of 
second  month,  1814.  "  The  first  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends 
of  Philadelphia  for  the  Western  District,  was  held  on  the  IGth 
of  third  month,  1814." 

TWELFTH    STREET  MEETING. 

1813. — So  early  as  the  year  1685,  the  same  year  in  which 
the  Bank  meeting-house  was  rebuilt.  Friends  also  erected  the 
"Centre  Meeting-house,"  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Market 


66 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


and  Broad  Streets.  This  was  intended  for  day  meetings,  while 
that  at  the  Bank  was  for  evenin";  use.  According;  to  the  ori- 
ginal  city  plan,  Broad  Street  was  intended  to  have  been  where 
Twelfth  Street  now  is,  or  midway  between  the  two  rivers. 
Hence  it  is  probable  that  the  present  Twelfth  Street  house 
may  stand  upon  nearly  the  same  ground  which  its  predecessor 
occupied. 

1813.  —  "The  present  Twelfth  Street  meeting-house  was 
built  in  1812,  and  the  first  meeting  for  worship  held  therein 
on  the  first  first  day  in  the  fourth  month,  1813." 

After  the  division  in  1827,  Friends  who  had  belonged  to  this 
Monthly  Meeting  were  joined  to  those  of  Philadelphia  and 
Green  Street. 

v.— GREEN  STREET  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1816. — "  At  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends,  held  at  Green 
Street,  Philadelphia,  20th  of  sixth  month,  181G,  established  by 
the  Quarterly  Meeting,  agreeable  to  the  following  extracts  from 
its  minutes, — 

"At  a  Quarterly  Meeting  held  in  Philadelphia,  the  6th  of 
the  fifth  month,  1816,  the  following  proposal  for  establishing  a 
Monthly  Meeting,  to  be  held  at  Green  Street,  accompanying  the 
report  from  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  for  the  Northern 
District,  obtaining  deliberate  attention,  is  united  with  ;  and 
Jonathan  Evans,  Ellis  Yarnall,  Samuel  Bettlc,  Thomas  Stew- 
ardson,  and  Thomas  Wistar,  are  appointed  to  attend  the  open- 
ing thereof." 

"  At  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia,  for  the 
Northern  District,  held  the  23d  of  the  fourth  month,  1816,  the 
following  report  being  produced  and  read,  was  united  with  and 
directed  to  be  laid  before  the  Quarterly  Meeting  for  its  con- 
sideration : — 

"  The  committee  of  men  and  women  Friends,  appointed  to 
consider  the  proposition  from  the  Preparative  Meeting  of  Green 
Street,  for  establishing  a  Monthly  Meeting  in  that  district,  &c., 
having  met  and  given  the  subject  solid,  deliberate  considera- 


PHILADELPHIA  QUARTER. 


57 


tion,  are  united  in  reporting  it  as  tlieir  sense  that  a  Monthly 
Meeting  be  established  there,  to  be  composed  of  Friends  re- 
siding Avithin  the  limits  of  that  Preparative  Meeting  ;  and  that 
it  be  known  by  the  name  of  'The  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends, 
held  at  Green  Street,  Philadelphia,'  &c.  &c. 

"  Extracted  from  the  minutes  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting. 

"Israel  Morris,  Cleric." 
(Green  Street  Monthly  Meeting.) 

GREEN  STREET. 

1814. — The  meeting-house  at  the  corner  of  Fourth  and 
Green  Streets,  was  completed  in  the  spring  of  1814. 

"  At  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia,  for  the 
Northern  District,  held  ninth  month,  27th,  1814,  the  committee 
of  men  and  women  Friends,  appointed  to  consider  of  and  pro- 
pose, &c.,  agree  to  propose  to  the  Monthly  Meeting,  that  meet- 
ings for  worship  be  established  there  on  first  days,  morning 
and  afternoon,  and  on  sixth  day  mornings,  all  to  begin  at  the 
usual  hour ;  and  that  Friends  composing  that  meeting  be 
allowed  to  hold  a  preparative  meeting  at  the  close  of  their 
meeting  for  worship  on  sixth  day,  in  the  week  preceding  the 
Monthly  Meetings,  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  '  The  Prepa- 
rative Meeting,  held  at  Green  Street.' 

"  Daniel  Thomas, 
"Leonard  Snowden, 
"  Mary  Taylor, 
"  Sarah  Smith." 

1814.—"  At  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia, 
for  the  Northern  District,  held  eleventh  month,  22d,  1814,  an 
extract  from  the  minutes  of  our  late  Quarterly  Meeting  was 
produced  and  read,  informing  that  that  meeting  had  concurred 
in  the  proposition  of  establishing  meetings  in  the  Green  Street 
house,  agreeable  to  the  conclusion  of  this  meeting  in  ninth 
month  last.  And  as  the  meetings  for  worship,  thus  proposed 
to  be  established,  will  commence  with  the  first  first  day  in  the 
twelfth  month,  and  the  preparative  meeting  on  the  twenty-third 


58 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


of  that  month,  Nathan  A.  Smith,  Philip  S.  Bunting,  William 
Sansom,  James  Vaux,  Thomas  Stcwardson,  Joseph  Bacon,  and 
Edward  Randolph,  are  appointed  to  attend  the  opening  of 
them." — (Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting  for  Northern  Dis- 
trict.) 

The  two  ancient  meetings  of  Frankford  and  Germantown, 
which  now  compose  Frankford  Preparative  Meeting,  have  been 
attached  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Green  Street  since  the 
year  1827. 

FRANKFORD. 

1682.  — "  Thomas  Fairman,  having  removed  with  his  family 
from  Shackamaxon  to  Oxford,  there  gave  a  piece  of  ground  to 
build  a  meeting-house  upon,  which  was  built  accordingly  very 
early;  first  a  log  house,  afterward  a  brick." — (S.  Smith.) 

A  first  day  meeting  had  been  held  still  earlier  at  the  house 
of  Sarah  Seyers,  at  Tacony,  or  Oxford. 

GERMANTOWN. 

1683.  — It  appears  that  the  first  meeting  at  this  place  was 
held  at  the  house  of  Dennis  Conard  (or,  as  then  called.  Tennis 
Kundert),  in  the  year  1683  (S.  Smith  says  1682).  It  was  con- 
stituted of  German  Friends,  who  thus  gave  name  to  the  place. 

1854. — "Philadelphia  Quarter  reports  that  Frankford  Pre- 
parative Meeting  is  now  held  alternately  at  Frankford  and 
Germantown." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

FAIRHILL. 

The  meeting-house  at  Fair  Hill  was  built  many  years  ago, 
on  ground  purchased  by  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  the  People  of 
God,  called  Quakers,  in  Philadelphia,  "for  the  benefit,  use  and 
behoof  of  the  poor  people  of  the  said  Quakers,  belonging  to  the 
said  meeting,  forever,  and  for  a  place  to  erect  a  meeting-house 
and  schoolhouse  upon,  for  the  use  and  service  of  the  said  people, 


PHILADELPHIA  QUAIITER. 


59 


and  for  a  place  to  bury  their  dead."  It  is  located  in  the  north- 
ern precincts  of  the  city  proper,  between  Cambria  and  Indiana 
Streets,  on  the  east  side  of  the  road  to  Germantown.  No 
meetings  have  been  held  there  for  many  years.  The  property 
is  now  known  as  "Fair  Hill  Burying-ground." 

VI.— RADNOR  MONTHLY  MEETING— FORMERLY  HAVERFORD. 

1684. — "  Men's  meeting  held  at  Thomas  Ducket's  house,  in 
Schuylkill,  the  10th  of  second  month,  1684. 

"  Men's  meeting  held  at  William  Shaner's  house,  in  Radnor, 
the  second  fifth  day  of  the  third  month,  1684. 

"  Men's  meeting  held  at  Hugh  Roberts's  house,  in  Merion, 
the  second  fifth  day  in  the  fourth  month,  1684. 

"  Men's  meeting  held  at  John  Bevan's  house,  in  Haverford, 
the  second  fifth  day  of  the  fifth  month,  1684." 

Such  are  the  first  four  opening  minutes  on  the  Radnor 
Monthly  Meeting  records  now  extant.  It  appears  that  Thomas 
Ducket's  house,  in  Schuylkill,  was  located  at  the  old  burying- 
ground,  at  the  west  end  of  the  Market  Street  Permanent 
Bridge. 

From  this  time  forward,  the  Monthly  Meeting  appears  to 
have  been  most  frequently  held  at  Haverford,  until, 

1698.—"  At  our  Monthly  Meeting,  held  at  Haverford,  the 
22d  of  the  second  month,  1698, 

"  It  is  concluded,  that  the  Monthly  Meeting  for  business, 
be  kept  in  course  here,  at  Merion,  and  Radnor,"  &c. — (Radnor 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

Beside  their  monthly  meetings  for  business,  they  also  had 
general  monthly  meetings,  monthly  meetings  for  worship,  first 
day  monthly  meetings,  &c.,  all  of  which  probably  meant  the 
same  thing.    Thus, — 

1698. — "David  Lawrence  and  William  Jenkins  are  ordered 


60 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


to  meet  Friends  at  Darby,  to  remove  their  Monthly  Meeting 
to  another  day,  being  it  is  kept  the  same  day  with  our  General 
Monthly  Meeting."  Yet  only  four  months  previous,  the  record 
says:  '"The  first  day  Montlily  Meeting  at  this  place,  Friends 
have  thought  fit  to  move  it  to  the  first  fourth  day  of  the  week, 
in  every  month." — (Radnor  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1700. — "  At  our  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  at  Philadelphia,  the 
2d  of  the  7th  month,  1700,  the  Friends  from  Haverford  Meet- 
ing report :  that  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Chester  County 
have  sent  some  of  their  members  to  their  Monthly  Meeting, 
signifying  the  mind  of  their  meeting,  that  the  said  Monthly 
Meeting  in  the  county  of  Chester  ought  to  be  joined  to  them ; 
■which  this  meeting,  having  weighed  and  considered  the  same, 
came  to  this  agreement,  that  Haverford  Monthly  Meeting  hath 
belonged  to  this  meeting  from  the  first  settlement,  and  for 
several  other  reasons,  this  meeting  unanimously  desires  that 
the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Haverford  may  not  be  separated 
from  this  our  Quarterly  Meeting. — A  copy,  per  Samuel  Car- 
penter."— (Radnor  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1700.—"  At  our  Monthly  Meeting,  held  at  Haverford,  the 
10th  of  the  8th  month,  1700,  there  was  a  paper  drawn,  in  be- 
half of  the  meeting,  directed  to  the  Friends  of  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  for  the  county  of  Chester,  which  was  thus : — 

"  '  In  the  Truth  of  God,  our  salutation  is  unto  you,  desiring 
we  may  be  one  Avith  you  in  it  forever.  The  proposal  laid  be- 
fore our  Monthly  Meeting,  by  the  Friends  appointed  by  your 
Quarterly  Meeting,  viz.,  that  our  Monthly  Meeting  should  be 
joined  to  your  Quarterly  Meeting,  was  laid  before  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  of  Philadelphia,  by  the  Friends  of  our  Monthly 
Meeting  appointed  to  attend  the  same,  and  their  unanimous 
desire  and  sense,  and  also  the  general  sense  of  this  our  Monthly 
Meeting  is,  that  being  we  are  joined  to  their  Quarterly  Meeting, 
from  our  first  settlement,  therefore,  and  for  other  reasons,  we 
should  so  continue  ;  which,  in  answer  to  your  desire,  we  thought 
fit  to  signify  unto  you. 

"  '  Signed,  &c.,  by 

'"Thomas  Jones.'  " 


PHILADELPHIA  QUARTER. 


Gl 


HAVERPORD,    MERION,    AND  RADNOR. 

About  the  year  1682,  and  soon  after,  there  came  a  hxrge 
number  of  settlers  from  Wales,  who,  having  purchased  40,000 
acres  of  land,  on  the  west  side  of  the  Schuylkill,  settled  the 
three  townships  of  Ilaverford,  Merion,  and  Radnor.  Meetings 
were  undoubtedly  held  thus  early  at  Friends'  houses  in  each 
township,  and  probably  at  Thomas  Ducket's  in  Schuylkill  also. 
But  we  find  no  record  of  the  first  meetings  established,  or  of 
the  first  meeting-houses  built.  The  latter  were  probably  of 
rude  construction,  and  of  transient  duration.  Hence  so  early  as 

1695. — "  William  Howell,  William  Jenkins,  William  Lewis, 
Ellis  Pugh,  and  David  Hugh,  are  ordered  to  inspect  and  con- 
sider what  way  will  be  most  convenient  to  rebuild  or  repair 
this  (Haverford)  meeting-house." — (Radnor  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1700. — "  Stephen  Bevan,  Ellis  Pugh,  David  Morris,  and  David 
Hugh,  being  appointed  by  the  last  Monthly  Meeting  to  com- 
pute the  charge  of  rebuilding  the  meeting-house  at  Haverford ; 
and  they  bring  an  account  that  it  will  amount  at  least  to  one 
hundred  and  fifty-eight  pounds." — (Radnor  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Day,  in  his  Historical  Collections  says,  "  One  of  the  venerable 
meeting-houses  founded  by  the  early  Friends  from  Wales,  is 
that  in  Lower  Merion  township.  It  was  erected,  as  appears  by 
a  date  on  the  tablet,  in  1695."  (There  must  have  been  a  pre- 
vious meeting-place  at  Merion.) 

1717. — "  A  letter  was  received  from  our  friend  Benjamin 
Holme,  to  this  meeting,  recommending  to  their  consideration 
the  stirring  up  of  Friends,  in  the  building  of  their  meeting- 
house at  Radnor,  &c.  This  meeting,  pursuant  to  the  Radnor 
Friends'  desire,  acquiesce  with  them  in  building  a  new  meeting- 
house ;  and  this  meeting  appoints  David  Morris,  David  Lewis, 
Edward  Reese,  Robert  Jones,  Richard  Hayes,  and  Samuel 
Lewis,  to  assist  them  in  the  contrivance  of  the  building 
thereof ;  and  meet  together  about  it  on  the  21st  of  this  instant, 
and  bring  account  thereof  to  the  next  meeting." 

Report. — "  Some  Friends  of  those  appointed  to  assist  Rad- 


62 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


nor  Friends  in  the  contrivance  of  a  new  meeting-liousc  there, 
bring  account  that  they  have  accordingly  met,  and  given  them 
their  thoughts  as  to  the  bigness  and  form  thereof ;  to  which 
Radnor  Friends  then  present  seemed  generally  to  agree  with." 
— (Radnor  Monthly  Meeting.) 

A  youth's  meeting  is  mentioned  at  Radnor  meeting-house,  to 
be  held  in  the  third,  sixth,  ninth,  and  twelfth  months,  so  early 
as  1698. 

VALLEY. 

1698. — "  Friends  of  the  upper  end  of  Merion,  having  ac- 
quainted this  meeting  that  they  live  remote  from  the  settled 
weekly  meeting,  proposed  to  this  meeting  to  have  a  weekly 
meeting  held  among  themselves  ;  and  this  meeting  approved  of 
the  same,  that  they  should  keep  it  every  third  day  of  the  week." 

1713. — "  Stephen  Bevans  and  Lewis  Walker  have  requested 
to  have  a  meeting  sometimes  at  the  house  of  Lewis  Walker. 
This  meeting  do  condescend  that  Friends  may  keep  a  meeting 
at  Lewis  Walker's,  the  first  first  day  of  the  week,  in  the  sixth 
and  eighth  months  next." — (Radnor  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Similar  i*equests  continued  to  be  made  and  allowed  for  seve- 
ral years. 

SCHUYLKILL,    FORMERLY  CHARLESTON. 

"  Radnor  Monthly  Meeting  adds  to  its  report  the  following 
minute,  which  being  deliberately  considered  was  approved, 
women  Friends  concurring  therein. 

"  The  committee  of  men  and  women  Friends  appointed  at  last 
meeting  respecting  the  propriety  of  establishing  a  preparative 
meeting  at  Charleston,  report,  that  they  attended  that  meeting, 
and  on  conferring  together,  were  united  in  judgment  that  it  would 
be  right  to  accede  to  the  proposal.  This  meeting,  on  considera- 
tion, appears  to  unite  with  the  judgment  of  the  committee,  and 
submits  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  that  a  preparative  meeting 
be  established  at  Friends'  meeting-house  in  the  township  of 


PHILADELPHIA  QUARTER. 


63 


Schuylkill,  to  be  called  Schuylkill  Preparative  Meeting,  to  be 
held  the  first  fifth  day  in  the  month,  and  opened  in  the  ninth  , 
month  next,  at  ten  o'clock ;  women  Friends  concurring  therein." 
— (Radnor  Monthly  Meeting.) 

VII.— EXETER  MONTHLY  MEETING  (FORMERLY  OLEY). 

1737. — "  At  a  Monthly  Meeting,  held  at  Gwynedd,  the 
fifth  month,  the  26th,  1737,  pursuant  to  the  directions  of  last 
Quarterly  Meeting's  minute,  this  meeting,  together  with  the 
Friends  of  Oley  and  Maiden  Creek,  have  agreed  that  their 
Monthly  Meeting  for  business  be  called  Oley  Monthly  Meeting, 
and  held  the  last  fifth  day  in  every  month,  except  they  discover 
occasion  to  remove  it  to  another  time.  The  first  to  be  at  Oley, 
the  last  fifth  day  in  next  month." — (Gwynedd  Monthly  Meet- 
ing-) 

1 742. — "  At  a  Quarterly  Meeting  held  in  Philadelphia,  the  3d 
day  of  the  third  month,  1742,  Oley  Monthly  Meeting  reporting 
that  upon  a  division  of  the  townships,  their  meeting  falls  into 
Exeter  Township,  whereupon  it  is  agreed  that  henceforward 
Oley  Meeting  be  called  Exeter  Monthly  Meeting." — (Exeter 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

EXETER    (formerly  OLEY). 

No  records  obtained. 

MAIDEN  CREEK. 

No  records  obtained. 

READING. 

1759. — "  Maiden  Creek  representatives  report  that  Reading 
Friends  desire  the  advice  of  this  meeting  about  the  buying  of 
a  lot  for  a  meeting-house.  Joseph  Penrose,  Thomas  Lea,  and 
Mordecai  Ellis,  are  appointed  to  meet  said  Friends  at  their 
meeting,  view  the  place  proposed,  and  give  their  opinion  to 


64 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


next  meeting,  whether  suitable  or  not." — (Exeter  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1762. — "  Maiden  Creek  Friends  report,  that  the  Friends  of 
Reading  being  in  much  want  of  a  better  house  to  meet  in,  have 
thought  of  beginning  to  build  one  next  summer,  and  desire  this 
meeting  would  take  the  same  under  consideration.  And  it 
being  represented  to  this  meeting  that  the  ground  they  now 
have  seems  no  more  than  sufficient  for  a  burying-place,  and 
that  they  think  it  would  be  advisable  to  build  a  house  large 
enough  to  accommodate  a  meeting  when  travelling  Friends  vis- 
ited the  place,  for  which  reason  another  lot  should  be  sought  for, 
and  a  larger  house  built  than  just  for  their  particular  use : 
the  meeting,  therefore,  commits  the  consideration  of  the  whole 
to  Ellis  Hughes,  Samuel  Lea,  Richard  Penrose,  Merrick  Starr, 
John  Scarlet,  and  Thomas  Thomas,  who  are  desired  to  visit 
them  for  that  purpose,  and  report  to  next  meeting." — (Exeter 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

"  The  first  house  of  worship  in  Reading  was  built  by  Friends, 
on  their  burying-ground,  in  1751.  In  1766,  it  was  pulled 
down,  and  in  its  place  the  present  one-story  log  house  was 
built." — (D^y's  Historical  Collections.) 

The  meeting  at  Reading  is  still  held  by  indulgence,  after 
the  lapse  of  more  than  a  century. 

POTTSVILLE. 

1831. — "To  the  Quarterly  Meeting:  The  committee  to 
whom  was  verbally  referred,  at  our  last  meeting,  the  subject 
of  Friends'  meeting-house  at  Pottsville,  Schuylkill  County, 
report,  that  a  meeting-house  was  erected  in  1831,  upon  a  lot 
freely  given  for  that  purpose,  containing  upwards  of  an  acre. 
The  building  is  of  stone,  thirty-three  by  forty-five  feet,  with  a 
basement  story.  The  upper  room  is  finished  ;  and  a  meeting, 
on  first  day,  has  been  regularly  held  in  it  for  the  last  eighteen 
months,  under  the  care  of  Exeter  Monthly  Meeting,"  &c. — 
(Philadelphia  Quarterly  Meeting,  8th  of  sixth  month,  1833.) 


ACivArK 


Wihnuigton 


SCALE;     miles  ]ier  imTx. 


Staiitoiu 

I 


CONCORD  (iUAllTER. 


65 


Owing  to  the  removal  of  Friends  and  other  causes,  the  meet- 
ing has  been  discontinued  for  a  number  of  years. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

CONCORD  QUARTER  (FORMERLY  CHESTER). 

1683. — "  The  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Chester  was  first  esta- 
blished the  latter  end  of  the  year  1683 ;  and  the  first  meeting 
of  that  kind  on  record  in  this  county,  was  held  at  Chester,  the 
fourth  day  of  the  twelfth  month,  1G83-4."— (S.  Smith.) 

In  1758,  Chester  Quarter  had  become,  both  numerically 
and  geographically,  very  large  ;  consisting  of  fourteen  Monthly 
Meetings :  Chester,  Goshen,  Darby,  Concord,  Wilmington, 
Newark,  New  Garden,  Nottingham,  Bradford,  Sadsbury,  Duck 
Creek,  Hopewell,  Fairfax,  and  Warrington.  A  division  was 
then  found  necessary. — (See  Western  Quarter.) 

1800. — "  The  proposed  alteration  in  the  time  of  liolding 
Chester  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  the  changing  its  name  to 
Concord,  being  deliberated  on,  is  united  with." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

I.— CHESTER  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1681.—"  The  first  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  at  Chester, 
to  be  found  on  record,  was  held  the  tenth  day  of  the  eleventh 
month,  1681,  at  the  house  of  Robert  Wade,  and  consisted  of  the 
Friends  of  Chichester  and  Upland,  or  Chester." — (S.  Smith.) 

"  The  first  minute  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  runs  thus :  'Tenth 
of  eleventh  month,  1681.  A  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  be- 
longing to  Marcus  Hook,  alias  Chester  and  Upland,  held  at 
the  house  of  Robert  Wade.'  " — (Bowden.) 

5 


66 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS, 


Robert  Wade  came  with  John  Fenwick  to  Salem,  in  1675, 
but  soon  crossed  the  Delaware,  and  erected  the  "Essex  House," 
on  the  south  side  of  Chester  Creek,  called  Wade's  Landing. 
Here  Friends'  meetings  were  held,  here  William  Penn  took 
lodgings  on  his  arrival,  and  here  the  first  Assembly  of 
Pennsylvania  held  its  session,  in  the  year  1G82. 

CHESTER. 

'  1675.—"  These  Friends  (of  Chichester  and  Upland)  had 
meetings  for  worship  at  each  other's  houses  so  early  as 
1675,  in  which  year  Robert  Wade  and  divers  others  came 
over." — (See  Salem.) 

1682.—"  At  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Chester,  the  eleventh 
of  the  seventh  month,  1082,  it  M'as  agreed  that  a  meeting 
should  be  held  for  public  worship,  every  first  day  of  the  week, 
at  the  court-house  at  Chester." — (S.  Smith.) 

SPRINGFIELD,  PROVIDENCE,    AND  MIDDLETOWN. 

1690.—"  In  1696,  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Chester,  then 
held  at  the  house  of  Thomas  Vernon,  agreed  that  a  meeting 
should  be  settled  every  first  and  fourth  day  of  the  week,  at 
John  Bowater's  ;  another  at  Thomas  Minshall's,  every  first  and 
fifth  day  ;  and  another  at  Bartholomew  Coppock's,  every  first 
and  fourth  days.  These  meetings  were  called  by  the  names  of 
the  persons  where  they  were  held  ;  and  are  now  the  respective 
large  meetings  of  Springfield,  Providence,  and  Middletown." — 
(S.  Smith.) 

1849. — "  Concord  Quarter  informs,  that  at  the  request  of 
Springfield  Preparative  Meeting,  that  meeting,  and  also  the 
meetings  for  worship  held  at  that  place,  have  been  discon- 
tinued."— (Yearly  Meeting.) 

II.— DARBY  MONTHLY  MEETING. 


1684.—"  Their  Monthly  Meeting  was  settled  in  1684,  till 


CONCORD  QUARTER. 


67 


which  time  they  were  joined  to  Chester  Monthly  Meeting." — 
(S.  Smith.) 

Bowden  gives  the  same  date.  But  the  early  records  of  Darby 
Monthly  Meeting  are  imperfect.  Some  certificates  received 
there  from  England  bear  date  as  early  as  1682  ;  but  that  does 
not  prove  the  establishment  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  at  an 
earlier  date. 

DARBY. 

1682. — "  Meetings  for  worship  were  first  settled  in  Darby  in 
the  year  1682,  and  a  meeting-house  soon  after  built.  The  names 
of  some  of  the  first  settlers  belonging  to  Darby  Meeting  were 
John  and  Michael  Blunston,  Adam  Rhodes,  Henry  Gibbons, 
Samuel  Sellers,  Richard  Bonsai,  John  Bartram,  &c.,  who  came 
from  Derbyshire ;  Thomas  Worth,  Samuel  Bradshaw,  John 
HalloAvell,  &c.,  who  came  from  Nottinghamshire  ;  and  John 
Hood,  William  Garrett,  Robert  Cliff,  &c.,  who  came  from  Lei- 
cestershire."— (S.  Smith.) 

III.— CONCORD  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1684.—"  The  '  fearst'  Monthly  Meeting  held  by  Friends  in 
Chichester,  on  the  17th  of  the  first  month,  1684. 

"  William  House, 
•  "John  Bezer, 

"John  Harding." 
(Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

It  appears  to  have  been  the  practice  of  this  Monthly  Meet- 
ing to  record  the  names  of  the  members  in  attendance,  varying, 
according  to  the  record,  from  two  to  sixteen.  None  but  the 
more  experienced  and  exercised  members  were  allowed  to  at- 
tend, and  they  often  necessarily  absent. 

1686. — "  It  was  the  same  year  (1686)  agreed,  that  the 
Monthly  Meeting  formerly  kept  at  Chichester,  should  from 


68 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


henceforth  be  kept  alternately  at  (Chi)chester  and  Concord ; 
"which  last  meeting  had  two  years  before  this,  set  up  a  Monthly 
Meeting  among  themselves." — (S.  Smith.) 

There  is  probably  a  mistake  here.  As  there  does  not  ap- 
pear to  be  any  interruption  in  the  Concord  series  of  minutes, 
it  is  probable  that  Chichester  should  have  been  used  instead  of 
Chester. 

The  Monthly  Meeting  continued  to  be  held  at  Chichester 
and  Concord  till  1729,  since  which  time  it  has  been  constantly 
kept  at  Concord. 

CHICHESTER. 

1683.  —"  At  the  Monthly  Meeting  at  Chester,  the  11th  of 
the  seventh  month,  1682,  it  was  agreed  that  a  meeting  should 
be  held  for  public  Avorship,  for  the  western  part,  at  Chichester, 
the  fifth  day  of  the  week,"  &c. — (S.  Smith.) 

CONCORD. 

1684.  — Bowden  places  the  commencement  of  Concord  meet- 
ing in  1684.  Smith  gives  a  confused  history  of  meetings  held 
in  the  vicinity,  which  I  have  not  been  able  to  unravel.  Thus 
in  1682 :  "  That  there  should  be  three  meetings  held  in  the 
week,  as  follows  :  the  western  part  at  Chichester,  the  fifth  day 
of  the  week  ;  the  middle  meeting  at  Harold,  at  the  house  of 
William  Woodmanson,  the  fourth  clay  of  the  week  ;  and  the 
eastern  meeting  at  Ridley,  at  the  house  of  John  Simcock,  the 
fifth  day  of  the  week." 

This  middle  meeting  at  Harold  may  have  been  the  earliest 
representative  of  Concord  meeting. 

IV.— GOSHEN  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1721. — "  It  was  agreed  to  be  moved  to  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing for  their  consent,  that  this  Monthly  Meeting,  that  was  now 
grown  large,  and  consisted  of  seven  particular  meetings,  should 


CONCORD  QUARTER. 


69 


be  divided  into  two  Monthly  Meetings :  that  is  to  say,  the  par- 
ticular meetings  of  Chester,  Springfield,  Providence,  and  Mid- 
dletown,  be  continued  one  Monthly  Meeting,  and  Newtown, 
Goshen,  and  Uwchlan  be  another.  To  this  proposal  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  agreed,  and  the  one  continued  its  former  name  of 
Chester  Monthly  Meeting  ;  the  other  was  called  Goshen.  The 
first  whereof  was  held  in  the  sixth  month,  1722." — (S.  Smith.) 

1800. — "  Goshen  Monthly  Meeting  informs  they  have  united 
in  removing  their  Monthly  Meeting  to  Willistown,  which  they 
propose  to  take  eifect  in  the  first  month  next,  &c.,  which  this 
meeting  unites  with." — (Concord  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

NEWTOWN. 

1696.  —"  At  our  Monthly  Meeting,  held  at  Haverford,  the 
fourteenth  day  of  the  eleventh  month,  1696,  William  Lewis,  and 
some  other  Friends,  having  proposed  to  this  meeting  to  settle  a 
meeting  at  Newtown,  they  are  left  to  their  freedom  therein." — 
(Radnor  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1697.  — "  Thomas  Jones  is  ordered  by  this  meeting  to  acquaint 
Friends  of  Chester  Meeting  that  the  meeting  at  Newtown  is 
done  by  the  consent  of  this  meeting,  in  order  to  have  their 
approbation  therein." — (Radnor  Monthly  Meeting.) 

GOSHEN. 

1703.—"  At  a  Monthly  Meeting,  held  at  Springfield,  &c.,  it 
was  agreed  that,  to  answer  the  request  of  Friends  at  Goshen, 
a  meeting  for  worship  should  be  held  the  last  first  day  of  the 
tenth,  first,  fourth,  and  seventh  months,  at  the  house  of  David 
Jones;  and  on  every  first  day  of  the  week,  throughout  the 
year,  at  Goshen  meeting-house.  It  was  also  agreed  that  the 
weekly  meeting,  throughout  the  year,  should  thereafter  be  kept 
the  sixth  day  of  the  week." — (S.  Smith.) 

WILLISTOWN. 

1767. — It  appears  that  a  meeting  for  worship  was  held  and 


70 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


a  meeting-house  built  thu3  early,  as  the  records  show  that  Ben- 
jamin Hibbert  and  Mary  Garrett  were  married  at  Willistown 
meeting-house  the  nineteenth  day  of  the  tenth  month,  1767. 

1788. — "The  committee,  on  the  request  from  Willistown, 
having  had  a  weighty  conference  on  the  subject  of  establishing 
a  meeting  there,  and  being  favored  with  a  comfortable  calm, 
which  hath  tended  to  the  uniting  of  our  hearts  together,  do 
agree  to  report  that  we  are  free  that  the  Quarterly  Meeting 
should  grant  them  their  request."  "Which,  being  attended 
to,  was  approved,  and  the  said  meeting  allowed  of,  to  be  held 
on  the  first  and  fifth  days  of  the  week,  &c.,  agreeable  to  their 
request ;  and  the  clerk  is  requested  to  furnish  Goshen  Monthly 
Meeting  with  a  copy  of  this  minute. 

"  Taken  from  the  minutes  of  Chester  Quarterly  Meeting, 
held  the  11th  of  tenth  month,  1788. 

"Joshua  Sharpless,  Clerk." 

(Goshen  Monthly  Meeting.) 

AVniTELAND. 

1816. — The  meeting  of  Whiteland  was  first  held  in  the 
eleventh  month  of  this  year. 

"  At  a  Monthly  Meeting,  held  the  30th  of  fourth  month, 
1817,  the  Friends  appointed  in  the  tenth  month  last,  to  attend 
the  opening  of  the  meeting  in  East  Whiteland,  produced  the 
following  report,"  &c. — (Goshen  Monthly  Meeting.) 

"  The  Preparative  Meeting  at  Whiteland  was  allowed  by  Con- 
cord Quarterly  Meeting  in  1822.  In  1843  it  was  discontinued, 
at  its  own  desire,  and  the  members  attached  to  Goshen  Prepa- 
rative by  the  same  authority.  And,  in  1847,  Whiteland  Meeting 
was  in  like  manner  laid  down." — (See  Goshen  Monthly  Meet- 
ing Records.) 

v.— BIRMINGHAM  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1815. — "At  Birmingham  Monthly  Meeting,  held  the  7th  of 


COXCORD  QUARTER. 


71 


the  twelfth  month,  1815,  the  following  minute  of  Concord 
Quarterly  Meeting,  respecting  the  establishment  of  this  meet- 
ing, was  read,  and  the  Friends  therein  named  attended : — 

"  Concord  Monthly  Meeting  reports  they  were  united  in  pro- 
posing to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  the  establishing  a  new  Monthly 
Meeting,  to  be  composed  of  Birmingham  and  West  Chester 
Preparative  Meetings,  and  that  it  be  known  by  the  name  of 
'Birmingham  Monthly  Meeting,'  and  held  alternate  at  Bir- 
mingham and  West  Chester,  &c.  &c. ;  which,  coming  weightily 
before  this  meeting,  is  united  with,  and  the  following  Friends 
are  appointed  to  attend  said  meeting  at  the  opening  thereof, 
viz. :  Abraham  Fennel,  Edward  Garrigues,  Samuel  Canby, 
Jacob  Hibbard,  Thomas  Smedley,  and  Joseph  Malln. 

"  Extracted  from  the  minutes. 

"Nathan  Sharpless,  Clerh.'' 
(Birmingham  Monthly  Meeting.) 

BIRMINGHAM. 

1704.— "John  Bennet  and  Elizabeth  Webb,  on  behalf  of 
Friends,  inhabitants  of  the  upper  part  of  Birmingham  and 
Brandywine  Creek,  with  the  advice  of  the  Preparative  Meeting 
of  Concord,  did  request  of  this  meeting  that  they  might  have 
a  meeting  at  John  Bennet's  house  this  winter  time,  because  of 
their  far  living  from  Concord  meeting." — (Concord  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

Bowden  gives  1718  as  the  time  of  the  establishment  of  this 
meeting.    The  meeting-house  was  built  this  year, 

1726. — "  Birmingham  makes  application  to  this  meeting  for 
the  privilege  of  keeping  a  preparative  meeting,  &c.,  which  this 
meeting  allows  of." — (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

WEST  CHESTER. 

1810. — In  the  year  1810  a  meeting  was  indulged  near  West 
Chester,  composed  of  some  Friends  belonging  to  Goshen,  Brad- 


72 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


ford,  and  Birmingham  meetings.  In  1813,  the  meeting  was 
established  by  Concord  Monthly  and  Quarterly''  Meetings,  and 
the  following  year  was  allowed  to  hold  a  preparative  meeting. 

VI.— WILMINGTON  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1750. — "  At  a  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  at  Concord,  for  the 
county  of  Chester,  the  14th  of  the  third  month,  1750,  the 
Friends  appointed  to  meet  and  sit  with  the  Friends  of  Newark 
Monthly  Meeting,  to  consider  whether  it  will  be  of  the  most 
service  to  Friends,  and  conducive  to  the  prosperity  of  Truth, 
for  the  said  Monthly  Meeting  to  be  divided  into  two,  report, 
they  met  accordingly,  and  considered  the  whole  affair,  and  are 
of  opinion  it  would  be  better  to  settle  a  Monthly  Meeting  for 
Friends  of  New  Castle  and  Wilmington  Particular  Meetings, 
than  that  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Newark  should  circulate  to 
Wilmington,  &c. 

"  This  meeting,  after  a  mature  consideration  of  the  affair, 
do  allow  that  New  Castle  and  Wilmington  particular  meetings 
be  made  and  embodied  into  a  Monthly  Meeting  for  discipline, 
separate  from  the  Centre  and  Kennet  Particular  Meetings,  which 
remain  and  is  continued  a  Monthly  Meeting  as  heretofore. 

"Examined,  per  Jacob  Howell." 

(Concord  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

NEW  CASTLE. 

1684. — John  Hussey,  John  Richardson,  Edward  Blake, 
George  Hogg,  Benjamin  Swett,  and  other  Friends,  being 
settled  in  and  near  New  Castle,  held  meetings  for  worship 
several  years  at  a  private  house  in  said  town  ;  it  was  first  set 
up  by  the  authority  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Philadelphia, 
the  2d  of  the  first  month,  1684,  and  continued  till  1705,  when 
a  lot  of  ground  was  purchased  and  a  meeting-house  built. 

For  further  particulars,  see  Newark  Meeting. 


1758. — "  At  our  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  at  Concord,  the 


CONCORD  QUARTER. 


73 


13th  of  the  eleventh  month,  1758,  tlie  Friends  appointed  to 
visit  New  Castle  Preparative  Meeting  (at  the  request  of  Wil- 
mington Monthly  Meeting),  report  that  they  generally  met, 
and  had  a  meeting  with  them,  and  also  attended  Wilmington 
Monthly  Meeting ;  and  found  it  necessary  to  advise  New 
Castle  Friends  to  resign  their  right  of  holding  a  preparative 
meeting,  and  join  with  that  of  Wilmington.  This  meeting 
concurs  therewith,  and  directs  that  New  Castle  Preparative 
Meeting  be  discontinued  accordingly." — (Concord  Quarterly 
Meeting.) 

"  And  it  was  the  advice  of  the  same  committee  to  Friends 
of  this  meeting,  that  we  tenderly  labor  with  thera  to  submit 
thereto,  unless  such  labor  should  stir  them  up  to  more  diligence 
to  attend  their  meetings  for  the  future,  and  therein  seek,  in  a 
right  manner,  for  a  true  qualification  to  discharge  the  care  of 
such  meeting  properly." — (Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Friends  having  been  for  some  time  all  removed  from  New 
Castle,  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Wilmington  has  recently  sold 
the  meeting-house,  but  retains  the  burial-ground,  through  re- 
spect for  the  remains  of  those  who  have  been  interred  there. 

WILMINGTON. 

1788. — "  Several  Friends  being  settled  at  Wilmington,  in 
New  Castle  County,  viz.,  William  Shipley,  Joshua  Way, 
Thomas  West,  David  Ferris,  Joseph  Hews,  and  divers  others, 
they,  in  1738,  requested  liberty  to  have  a  meeting  for  worship 
settled  among  them,  which  was  allowed,  and  first  held  at  the 
house  of  William  Shipley.  But  in  the  same  year,  they  pro- 
vided a  house  for  a  meeting-place,  in  Avhich  they  met  till  the 
year  1748,  when  their  large  meeting-house  was  built.  In  1750, 
they  and  Friends  of  New  Castle  were  constituted  a  Monthly 
Meeting.  Prior  to  this,  they  belonged  to  Newark  Monthly 
Meeting ;  subsequently,  they  constituted  a  branch  of  Concord 
Quarter." 


74 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


STANTON    (formerly    WHITE    CLAY  CREEK). 

1772. — "  The  Friends  appointed  to  meet  with  Friends  at 
Christiana  Bridge,  &c.,  report,  that  it  is  their  mind  that  the 
meeting  had  best  grant  them  their  request ;  and  on  considering 
the  case,  it  is  agreed  to  allow  said  Friends  to  hold  a  meeting 
for  worship  on  the  first  and  fourth  days  of  every  week,  until 
next  Monthly  Meeting,  &c.,  at  the  house  of  Hannah  Lewden, 
at  the  bridge  aforesaid." — (Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1781.—"  At  Chester  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  at  Concord, 
thirteenth  of  eighth  month,  1781, 

"  The  committee  appointed  to  visit  Friends  at  White  Clay 
Creek  report,  they  all  attended,  and  had  a  solid  opportunity 
with  them,  and  endeavored  to  feel  after  the  mind  of  Truth. 
And  on  conferring  together,  they  think  it  would  be  best  to 
allow  them  to  hold  a  meeting  agreeable  to  their  request ;  which 
being  considered  and  spoken  to  in  this  meeting,  is  agreed  to. 

"  Copied  by  order  of  the  meeting. 

"Thomas  Ligbtpoot,  Clerk." 

(Concord  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

In  1781,  White  Clay  Creek  Meeting  was  established  by  con- 
sent of  Chester  Quarter.  In  1784  they  were  allowed  the 
privilege  of  holding  a  preparative  meeting  ;  and  in  1803,  at 
their  own  request,  the  name  of  the  meeting  was  changed  from 
White  Clay  Creek  to  that  of  Stanton. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

BUCKS  QUARTER. 

1684. — "  W^hereas,  heretofore,  from  the  first  settlement  of 
this  county,  there  was  only  one  Monthly  Meeting  within  the 
said  county.  At  the  Yearly  Meeting  held  at  Philadelphia,  in 
the  seventh  month,  1683,  it  was  then  agreed,  that  the  said 
Monthly  Meeting,  for  the  ease  and  benefit  of  Friends,  should 


BUCKS  V^^^I^^'l't^^^ 


Kingwood 


Plum  stead 


3nckifufham 
O  J}oviestomi 


j^ewtvwn  \^ 

\ 


SCxVLE".  5iTuies  per  incTi.  ^ 

3ristd.  i 


Falh 


Pennsburr 


BUCKS  QUARTER. 


75 


be  divided  into  two  parts :  the  one  to  be  held  .about  Nosha- 
miny ;  and  the  other  near  the  river  Delaware.  And  tliat  the 
said  meetings  shall  meet  together  once  every  quarter  ;  which 
was  accordingly  observed." 

"  At  a  Quarterly  Meeting  held'at  William  Biles's  house,  the 
seventh  of  the  third  month,  1684  ;  being  the  first  Quarter 
Meeting  held  in  the  aforesaid  county,  after  the  aforesaid  agree- 
ment was  made." — (Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

Although  the  meeting-houses  at  the  Falls  and  at  Neshaminy 
(Middletown)  had  both  been  built  for  several  years,  yet  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  continued  to  be  held  at  the  houses  of  Wil- 
liam Biles,  Nicholas  Wain,  Richard  Hough,  Joshua  Hoopes,  and 
others,  up  to  the  year  1696.  From  that  time  it  alternated  be- 
tween the  two  meeting-houses  till  1722,  when  it  began  to  cir- 
culate to  Wrightstown  ;  and  in  1736  the  circle  was  extended  to 
Buckingham,  as  at  present. 

In  several  instances  the  minutes  establishing  Monthly  Meet- 
ings end  thus:  "  and  every  third  meeting  shall  be  the  Quarterly 
Meeting."  (See  Philadelphia.)  Bucks  Quarter  appears  to  have 
been  so  held  for  some  years. 

1686. — "  Whereas  it  is  found  inconvenient  that  the  business 
of  the  Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meetings  should  be  performed 
both  at  one  and  the  same  meeting,  it  is  agreed  that  from  hence- 
forth the  respective  Monthly  Meetings  of  this  county  be  kept 
distinct  from  the  Quarter  Meeting,  as  well  in  the  month  the 
Quarter  Meeting  falls,  as  other  months  ;  and  that  the  Quarter 
Meeting  for  the  future  be  kept  on  the  third  weekly  fourth  day 
in  the  month,"  &c. — (Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

I.— FALLS  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1683. — "At  a  meeting  at  William  Biles's  house,  the  second 
day  of  the  third  month,  1683,  then  held  to  wait  upon  the  Lord 
for  his  wisdom,  to  hear  what  should  be  offered,  in  order  to 
inspect  into  the  affairs  of  the  Church,  that  all  things  may  be 


76 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


kept  sweet  and  savory  to  the  Lord,  and,  by  our  care  over  the 
Church,  helpful  in  the  work  of  God ;  and  Ave,  whose  names 
are  as  follows,  being  then  present,  thought  it  fit  and  neces- 
sary that  a  Monthly  Meeting  should  be  set  up,  both  of  men 
and  women,  for  that  purpose  ;  and  that  this  meeting  be  the 
first  of  the  men's  meetings  after  our  arrival  into  these  parts. 
The  Friends  present, — 

"  William  Biles, 
"  William  Dark, 
"  Lyonel  Britany, 
"  William  Yardley, 
"  James  Harrison, 
"Phineas  Pemberton, 
"  William  Beaks." 

« 

(Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

falls. 

1680? — "Meetings  for  worship  were  very  early  established 
about  the  Falls,  even  before  the  land  bore  the  name  of  Penn- 
sylvania; and  the  Friends  who  were  settled  from  Bristol  up- 
wards used  to  attend  the  meetings  for  business  at  Burlington. 
Their  own  meetings  for  worship  used  to  be  held  at  the  houses 
of  some  of  the  inhabitants,  viz.,  William  Yardley,  James  Har- 
rison, Phineas  Pemberton,  William  Biles,  William  Dark,  Lyonel 
Britany,  William  Beaks,  &c.  The  first  Falls  meeting-house  was 
built  in  1690."--(S.  Smith.) 

New  York  and  New  Jersey  Colonies  having  been  settled 
prior  to  that  of  Pennsylvania,  some  Friends  obtained  patents 
from  Edmund  Andros,  and  located  themselves  on  the  west  side 
of  the  Delaware,  before  the  grant  was  made  to  William  Penn. 

PENNSBURG. 

1814. — "  The  committee  appointed  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  subject  proposed  by  Friends  in  the  neighborhood  of 
John  Comfort's,  respecting  their  holding  an  indulged  meeting 


BUCKS  QUARTER. 


77 


there,  have  all,  except  one,"  met  with  the  applicants,  and 
■weiglitily  considered  the  subject ;  and  it  appears  to  be  the  pre- 
vailing sense  of  the  committee  that  an  indulged  meeting  be 
granted  them,  under  the  care  of  a  committee,  to  be  held  in  the 
schoolhouse  in  said  neighborhood ;  .  .  .  .  -which  was  generally 
united  with  by  the  meeting,  and  Joseph  Taylor,  &c.,  appointed 
to  attend  the  opening,  and  extend  such  care  as  may  appear  to 
them  needful." — (Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 


II.— MIDDLETOWN  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1783. — "  At  the  Yearly  Meeting  held  at  Philadelphia,  in 
the  seventh  month,  1683,  it  was  then  agreed  that  the  said 
Monthly  Meeting  (at  the  Falls)  should  be  divided  into  two 
parts  ;  the  one  to  be  held  about  Neshaminy,"  &c. — (See  Bucks 
Quarter.) 

"  At  our  Monthly  Meeting,  holden  at  Nicholas  Wain's,  the 
first  day  of  the  eleventh  month,  1683." 

1857. — "Bucks  Quarter  reports  that  Middletown  Monthly 
Meeting  will,  in  future,  be  held  alternately  at  Middletown  and 
Bristol." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

MIDDLETOWN    (FORMERLY  NESHAMINY). 

1682. — "Meetings  for  worship  were  first  settled  at  Nesha- 
miny  in  1682,  and  held  at  the  houses  of  Nicholas  Wain,  John 
Otter,  and  Robert  Hall,  till  1690,  when  their  first  meeting- 
house was  built," — (S.  Smith.) 

1722. — "  At  this  meeting,  the  having  a  preparative  meeting 
settled,  belonging  to  this  Monthly  Meeting,  was  moved,  con- 
sidered, and  agreed  on,"  &c. — (Middletown  Monthly  Meeting.) 

This  meeting,  being  first  held  "  about  Nesharainy,"  was 
hence  called  "Neshaminy  Meeting."  It  was  first  mentioned 
as  Middletown  Meeting  in  1706,  and  so  continues. — (See  Bucks 
Quarterly  Meeting  for  that  year.) 


78 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


BRISTOL. 

1704? — "Meetings  for  -worship  at  Bristol  were  sometimes 
held  at  Friends'  houses  till  1710,  when  a  meeting-house  was 
built,  and  a  meeting  settled  therein." — (S.  Smith.) 

Prior  to  1788,  Bristol  Friends  had  belonged  to  Falls  Monthly- 
Meeting.  At  their  own  request,  they  were  then  transferred  to 
Middletown  ;  and  it  was  agreed 

"  That  all  the  property  which  the  said  Preparative  Meeting 
are  now  in  possession  of,  or  hold  as  a  meeting,  ought  to  be  held 
and  enjoyed  by  them  as  heretofore." — (Bucks  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing-) 

III.— BUCKINGHAM  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1720. — "  Whereas  Friends  of  Buckingham,  who  have  hitherto 
belonged  to  Falls  Monthly  Meeting,  being  now  pretty  much  in- 
creased in  number,  and  having  for  a  long  time,  with  sOme  hard- 
ship, travelled  a  great  way,  move  to  have  a  Monthly  Meeting 
of  their  own.  Notwithstanding  the  Falls  Friends  are  loath  to 
be  deprived  of  their  good  assistance  and  company,  yet  this 
meeting,  having  taken  their  request  and  reasons  into  conside- 
ration, consents  to  their  proposal,  and  allows  them  to  have  a 
Monthly  Meeting  of  their  own." — (Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

In  1721,  Wrightstown  Preparative  Meeting  claimed  that  the 
Monthly  Meeting  should  sometimes  come  to  them,  but  "Middle- 
town  not  condescending  to  go  up  to  Wrightstown  once  in  three 
months,  as  formerly  proposed,  Wrightstown  Friends  are  now 
left  to  their  liberty  to  join  with  Buckingham  Monthly  Meeting 
on  equal  terms,  as  proposed." — (Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

Thenceforward,  Buckingham  Monthly  Meeting  alternated 
to  Wrightstown,  until  the  latter  was  constituted  a  separate 
Monthly  Meeting,  in  1734,  from  which  time  it  was  held  alter- 
nate at  Buckingham  and  Plumstead,  as  at  present. 


BUCKS  QUARTER. 


79 


BUCKINGHAM. 

1701. — "  Application  being  made  by  the  new  settlers  above 
Wrigbtstown  to  have  a  meeting  for  Avorship  weekly  among 
themselves  and  others  that  might  think  fit  to  visit  them,  they 
are  at  present  left  to  their  liberty." — (See  Bucks  Quarterly 
Meeting.) 

1705. — "  Falls  Monthly  Meeting  proposed  the  building  a 
meeting-house  at  New  Buckingham,  which  this  meeting  ap- 
proved, and  left  the  care  of  it  to  Falls  Meeting." — (Bucks 
Quarterly  Meeting.) 

"  The  meeting-house  at  Buckingham  was  built  in  1706,  and 
a  new  one  in  1729." — (S.  Smith.) 

The  latter  M'as  burned  in  1768,  and  another  erected,  at  a 
cost  of  seven  hundred  and  thirty-six  pounds,  fourteen  shillings. 

In  the  year  the  present  commodious  house  was  built,  of 

which  a  Friend  wi-ites,  "  Buckingham  Meeting-house  justly 
deserves  especial  notice,  as  being  one  of  the  most  substantial 
and  imposing-looking  country  meeting-houses  which  I  have  ever 
seen  in  seven  of  our  States." 

PLUM  STEAD. 

1727.— "In  Plumstead,  in  1727,  Friends  first  held  their 
meetings  at  private  houses  during  the  winter  season.  In  1730, 
a  constant  meeting  for  worship  was  there  settled.  Their  meet- 
ing-house was  built  in  1750."  (1752,  the  date  on  a  stone.) — 
(S.  Smith.) 

D  0  Y  L  E  S  T  0  W  N. 

1834.—"  Several  Friends  residing  in  and  near  to  Doyles- 
town,  made  application  to  Buckingham  Monthly  Meeting  for 
liberty  to  hold  an  indulged  meeting  on  first  days  in  the  village, 
under  the  care  of  the  Monthly  Meeting.  The  meeting  ap- 
pointed a  committee,  &c.,  who  reported  favorably.  Meetings 
were  held  in  a  room  rented  for  the  purpose.    The  following 


80 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


yolU'  a  meeting-liouso  was  erected,  which,  Avith  tlie  improve- 
ments, cost  $1654.50." — (Samuel  Hart.) 

IV.— WRI6HTST0WN  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

Buekintrham  Monthly  Meeting  had  been  held  at  Wrights- 
town  and  Buckingham  ;  but  Plutnstead,  being  equidistant  with 
Wrightstown,  claimed  that  the  Monthly  Meeting  should  be  kept 
constant  at  Buckingham  for  their  convenience.  Plumstead  was 
noAv  placed  in  the  same  relation  to  Wrightstown  that  the  latter 
had  been  to  Middletown  ten  years  before.  "  But  a  debate 
arising  thereupon,  and  Wrightstown  Friends  not  at  all  conde- 
scending thereto, — (Buckingham  Monthly  Meeting.) 

17o4. — "  It  is  the  agreement  of  this  meeting  that  the  said 
meetings  do  part,  and  Wrightstown  be  a  Monthly  Meeting  of 
themselves ;  and  Buckingham  and  Plumstead  have  a  Monthly 
Meeting  between  themselves." — (Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

w  R  nj  H  T  s  T  0  w  N. 

1686. — "  In  the  year  1686,  James  Radcliff,  a  noted  public 
Friend,  removed  to  settle  at  Wrightstown,  near  John  Chap- 
man's. For  the  ease  of  those  two  families,  a  meeting  was  held 
sometimes  at  their  houses,  which  continued  for  the  most  part 
till  about  1690."— (S.  Smith.) 

1686. — "  The  Montlily  Meeting  ordered  that  there  be  a 
meeting  established  at  Wrightstown,  to  be  held  once  a  month, 
for  the  convenience  of  Friends  there." — (Middletown  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

A  meeting-house  was  built  in  1721,  and,  the  following  year, 
a  Preparative  Meeting  was  granted  to  be  held  therein. 

QUAKERTOWN    MONTHLY    MEETING  (FORMERLY 
KING  wood;    STILL    EARLIER,  BETHLEHEM). 

1744. — "At  our  Monthly  Meeting,  held  at  Bethlehem,  the 
10th  day  of  the  seventh  month,  1744."  Again, 


]!UCKS  QUARTER. 


81 


1748. — "At  our  Monthly  Meeting,  held  at  Kingwood,  the 
10th  of  the  first  month,  1748." — (Kingwood  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  name  was  changed  in  1747,  in  consequence  of  a  division 
of  the  township  of  Bethlehem,  &c.  The  Monthly  Meeting  was 
composed  of  Kingwood  and  Hardwick  meetings,  and  belonged 
to  Burlington  Quarter.  In  1759,  the  Monthly  Meeting  alter- 
nated with  Hardwick  till  1797,  when  the  latter  was  created  a 
Monthly  Meeting  with  the  help  of  Mendham. 

In  1786,  on  the  request  of  Shrewsbury  Quarterly  Meeting, 
and  with  their  own  consent,  the  Monthly  Meetings  of  Hard- 
wick and  Kingwood  were  transferred  thereto  by  Burlington 
Quarter.  But,  in  1832,  Kingwood  requested  to  be  joined  to 
Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting,  which  was  effected  in  the  following 
year. 

1859. — "  Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting  informs  that  the  name 
of  '  Kingwood  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends,'  has  been  changed 
to  that  of  '  Quakertown  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends,  New 
Jersey.'  " — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

QUAKERTOWN. 

Chesterfield  records  mention  the  appointment  of  overseers 
for  Bethlehem  Meeting  so  early  as  the  year  1731 ;  and,  in  1736, 
a  Friend  was  named  there  for  another  purpose.  In  1747,  the 
name  was  changed  to  Kingwood ;  and,  in  1859,  this  name  was 
again  changed  to  Quakertown.  Kingwood  Preparative  Meeting 
was  established  in  1756. 

v.— SOLEBURY  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1811. — "The  committee  appointed  to  propose  a  time  for 
opening  Solebury  Monthly  Meeting,  &c.,  reported  that  Sole- 
bury  Monthly  Meeting  be  opened  in  the  7th  month  next,  &c. ; 
which  was  approved,  and  William  Lownes,  Jonathan  Kirkbride, 
Moses  Comfort,  William  Blakey,  Jeremiah  Crosdale,  John 

U 


82  SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS, 

• 

Watson,  John  Bucktnan,  Thomas  Atkinson,  Jesse  Heston,  Ste- 
phen Wilson,  Daniel  Carlisle,  and  Robert  Smith,  are  appointed 
to  attend  the  opening  thereof, 
"  Extracted  from  the  minutes, 

"  Samuel  Gilltnqham,  Clerk" 

(Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

S  0  L  E  B  U  R  Y. 

1805.  — "  The  committee  appointed  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  request  of  Solebury  Friends,  of  having  a  meeting 
settled  near  the  corner  of  John  Blackfan  and  Moses  East- 
burn's  lands  in  Solebury,  are  united  in  granting  their  request. 
Which  report  the  meeting  confirms  ;  and  appoints  the  follow- 
ing named  Friends  to  procure  suitable  ground  to  build  upon  ; 
to  suggest  a  plan  for  building  ;  to  estimate  the  expense  ■w  hich 
it  is  probable  will  arise  in  the  execution,  and  to  see  what  aid 
can  be  obtained  to  carry  it  into  effect,  viz. :  Aaron  Paxson, 
Samuel  Johnson,  Samuel  Gillingham,  Oliver  Hampton,  John 
Watson,  John  Blackfan,  Matthew  Hutchinson,  Isaiah  Miche- 
ner,  Edward  Good,  John  Malone,  Daniel  Carlisle,  and  Robert 
Smith." — (Report.) 

"  The  members  intending  to  constitute  that  meeting  have 
presented  a  plan  of  a  house,  to  be  about  sixty-three  feet  long, 
and  thirty-six  wide,  to  be  erected  nearly  on  the  model  of  Buck- 
ingham meeting-house  ;  which  we  estimate,  with  the  contingent 
expenses,  will  cost  £1500  in  the  execution,  and  themselves  sub- 
scribed ^£1346  15s,  to  carry  it  into  effect.  This  plan  has  re- 
ceived our  full  concurrence  ;  and  it  is  our  judgment,  and  we 
wish  to  impress  it  on  all  the  members  of  the  meeting,  that  their 
liberality  merits  the  concurrent  pecuniary  aid  of  their  brethren, 
particularly  that  branch  of  the  meeting  from  which  they  are 
about  to  separate,  to  complete  the  design,  and  place  them  in 
as  comfortable  a  situation  as  those  will  be  left  in  from  whom 
they  have  separated." — (Buckingham  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1806,  — "  Solebury  Preparative  Meeting  in  Bucks  County 
was  first  established  and  held  in  a  new  commodious  house  for 


BUCKS  QUARTER. 


83 


that  purpose,  near  the  centre  of  Solebury  Township,  by  mem- 
bers of  Buckinc;ham  Monthly  Meeting  ;  and  first  held  30th  of 
12th  month,  180G." 

VI.— MAKEFIELD  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1820. — The  Monthly  Meeting  of  Makefield  was  constituted 
by  a  division  of  Falls  Monthly  Meeting,  and  opened  in  the  7th 
month,  1820.  It  was  composed  of  Makefield  and  Newtown 
meetings,  and  held  alternately. 

MAKEFIELD. 

1750. — "  The  Friends  of  Makefield  having  represented  their 
being  heretofore  exposed  to  difiiculty  in  attending  meetings  in 
the  winter  season  ;  and  this  meeting  taking  the  same  into  con- 
sideration, does,  agreeable  to  the  request  of  the  said  Friends, 
consent  that  there  may  be  held  a  meeting  for  worship  the  first 
first  day  in  each  month  at  Benjamin  Taylor's,  and  the  third 
first  day  in  each  month  at  Benjamin  Gilbert's,"  &c. — (Falls 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1752. — "  The  meeting-house  at  Makefield  being  so  far 
finished  as  to  be  fit  to  meet  in,  the  Friends  there  request 
leave  to  hold  their  meetings  there,  both  first  and  week  days, 
&c.  ;  which  request  is  allowed  by  this  meeting."  —  (Falls 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

NEWTOWN.  ' 

1815. — Middletown  Monthly  Meeting  granted  Friends  of 
Newtown  the  indulgence  of  a  meeting  for  worship  on  first  and 
third  days,  in  the  year  1815. 

Two  years  after,  the  meeting  was  established  with  the  privi- 
lege of  a  preparative  meeting,  which  was  then  joined  to 
Wrightstown. 

When  Makefield  Monthly  Meeting  was  opened  in  1820, 
Newtown  Preparative  became  a  constituent  thareof. 


84 


SETTLEMENT  OP  MEETINGS. 


Y  A  R  D  L  E  Y  V  I  L  L  E. 

1857.—"  At  Makefield  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends,  held 
8th  of  tenth  month,  1857,  the  committee  to  whom  was  referred 
the  request  of  the  Friends  of  Yardleyville  and  vicinity,  having 
several  times  met  and  conferred  together  on  the  subject  of 
their  appointment,  have  mostly  united  in  reporting  that  their 
request  be  granted,  and  that  they  be  indulged  in  holding  a 
meeting  on  first  and  fourth  days  of  the  week  in  that  place,  for 
the  space  of  six  months,  under  the  care  of  the  Monthly  Meet- 
ing. 

"  Which  being  considered,  was  united  with,  women  Friends 
also  uniting.  Zephania  Mahan,  William  Cadwallader,  Joseph 
Paul,  John  Mahan,  and  Joseph  Flowers,  are  appointed  to 
attend  the  first  meeting,  to  be  held  on  the  first  first  day  in  the 
eleventh  month  next,  and  to  extend  such  further  care  as  they 
may  think  necessary  for  the  encouragement  of  Friends  com- 
posing that  meeting." — (Makefield  Monthly  Meeting.) 

This  meeting  is  still  continued  by  the  indulgence  of  the 
Monthly  Meeting. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

ABINGTON  QUARTER. 

1786. — "  The  minutes  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Philadel- 
phia relative  to  the  institution  of  another  Quarterly  Meeting 
within  the  limits  of  that,  and  the  report  of  their  committee 
thereon  being  read,  obtained  the  solid  attention  and  concurrence 
of  this  meeting.  To  attend  the  opening  thereof,  the  following 
Friends  are  named,  viz.,  Robert  Kirkbride,  Oliver  Paxson,  Eli 
Yarnall,  Thomas  Lightfoot,  George  Churchman,  Thomas  Pimm, 


Sti-oudshurg 


/ABIX(;T()X  9rARTER 

SCALE]!  5  tniles  to  an  inch. 


J^uhlund 


N. 


&wvnnsdd 


— — 0  Wmnmistt't- 
Borsliaiii 


^  A  bi  rig  ion 


I 


I 


ABINGTON  QUARTER. 


85 


Benjamin  Clarke,  John  Hoskins,  William  Jackson,  Jr.,  David 
Cope,  Mark  Reeve,  Benjamin  Reeve,  Benjamin  Shotwell,  and 
Joseph  Stackhouse. 

"  The  said  new  Quarterly  Meeting  to  be  composed  of  the 
Monthly  Meetings  of  Abington,  Horsham,  Gwynedd,  and 
Richland,  and  known  by  the  name  of  Abington  Quarterly 
Meeting." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

I.— ABINaTON  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1683. — "  At  a  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Friends,  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  in  the  sixth  month,  1683,  it  was  then  and  there 
agreed  and  concluded  that  there  be  established  a  first  day 
meeting  of  Friends  at  Tookany  and  Poetquesink  ;  and  that 
those  two  make  one  Monthly  Meeting,  men  and  women,  for 
the  ordering  of  the  affairs  of  the  Church." 

"  At  a  Monthly  Meeting,  the  3d  of  the  seventh  month, 
1683 — at  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  in  Truth,  of  the  inha- 
bitants about  Tookany  and  Poetquesink  Creeks,  being  met  to- 
gether for  the  service  of  Truth,  and  the  better  ordering  and 
governing  of  the  affairs  of  the  Church." — (Abington  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1683. — "  There  were  now  three  particular  meetings  belong- 
ing to  this  Monthly  Meeting,  viz.,  one  held  at  the  house  of 
Sarah  Seyers,  which  afterwards  became  Oxford  Meeting  ;  one 
at  John  Hart's,  Poetquesink,  which  afterwards  became  Byberry 
Meeting ;  and  one  at  Richard  Wain's,  which  afterward  became 
Abington  Meeting." — (S.  Smith.) 

The  Monthly  Meeting  circulated  variously  at  those  several 
places  until  1702,  "  where  and  when  it  Avas  agreed  to  be  kept 
at  Abington,  and  has  so  continued  ever  since." — (S.  Smith.) 

ABINGTON. 

1683. — "In  the  year  1683  a  meeting  of  worship  was  set- 
tled among  the  Friends  at  Cheltenham,  to  be  held  at  the  house 


86 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


of  Richard  Wain.  At  this  place  and  parts  adjacent,  lived,  very 
early,  a  good  body  of  Friends.  It  was  at  first  called  Dublin 
Meeting."— (S.  Smith.) 

II.— GWYXEDD  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1714. — "  At  the  Monthly  Meeting  held  at  Radnor  meeting- 
house, the  ninth  day  of  the  tenth  month,  1714,  it  is  left  for 
further  consideration  what  time  to  appoint  the  Monthly  Meet- 
ing of  Gwynedd  and  Plymouth  ;  which  was  left  to  the  ap- 
pointment of  this  meeting  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting. 

"  Gwynedd  and  Plymouth  Friends,  after  consideration  what 
day  is  suitable  for  their  Monthly  Meeting,  propose  the  last 
third  day  in  every  month  ;  which  this  meeting  acquiesces  with." 
— (Radnor  Monthly  Meeting.) 

PLYMOUTH. 

1685. — James  Fox  and  other  Friends  settled  about  Plymouth 
in  the  year  1685?,  and  held  meetings  at  Fox's  house.  But  they 
soon  after  removed  from  the  place,  and  were  succeeded  by  David 
Meredith  and  several  Friends,  who  attended  Merion  Meeting. 

1702.  — "  Friends  about  Plymouth  of  the  other  side  of  the 
Schoolkill,  propose  to  have  a  meeting  on  first  days  at  Hugh 
Jones's,  ....  and  a  weekly  meeting  the  fifth  day,  to  be  kept 
by  course  at  David  Williams's,  at  Hugh  Jones's,  at  Lewis 
Thomas's ;  which  this  meeting  consents  to,  if  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  approve  thereof. 

"  The  Quarterly  Meeting  have  approved  that  Friends  of  Ply- 
mouth should  keep  their  first  day  meeting  as  proposed." — (Rad- 
nor Monthly  Meeting.) 

1703.  — "  The  Quarterly  Meeting  approved  that  Friends  of 
Plymouth  meeting  continue  their  first  day  meeting ;  and  it  was 
so  settled.  It  is  ordered  that  Plymouth  Friends  keep  their 
Preparative  Meeting  the  last  weekly  meeting  before  the  Monthly 
Meeting."— (Radnor  Monthly  Meeting.) 


ABINGTON  QUARTER. 


87 


GWYNEDD    (formerly    NORTH  WALES). 

1699. — "There  is  a  General  Meeting  appointed  at  Gwynedd, 
the  second  weekly  third  day  of  every  month,  at  the  desire  of 
Friends  there." — (Radnor  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1703. — "  Gwynedd  Friends  desire  their  Preparative  Meeting 
removed  from  their  General  Meeting  day  to  the  last  weekly 
third  day  in  the  month;  which  was  approved."  —  (Radnor 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

"A  meeting-house  was  built  in  the  year  1700,  and  a  larger 
one  in  1712;  and  the  meeting  held  therein  on  the  19th  of  the 
7th  month  in  that  year." — (S.  Smith.) 

PROVIDENCE  (MONTGOMERY  COUNTY). 

Record  of  this  meeting  not  obtained. 

NORRISTOWN. 

1854. — "  The  establishment  of  a  meeting,  proposed  to  be  held 
in  Friends'  new  meeting-house  in  the  borough  of  Norristown, 
being  introduced  by  the  following  address,  signed  by  members 
residing  in  said  borough  and  its  vicinity  ;  upon  consideration, 
the  meeting  united  in  judgment  that  the  application  be  granted," 
&c. — (Gwynedd  Monthly  Meeting.) 

III.— RICHLAND  MONTHLY"  MEETING. 

1742. — "  The  Introduction.  Inasmuch  as  it  hath  pleased 
God,  the  author  of  all  our  mercies,  to  increase  the  number  of 
Friends  belonging  to  our  meeting  at  Richland,  and  the  adjacent 
places  thereunto  belonging ;  many  of  the  elders  growing  in 
years,  and  the  youth  coming  up  ;  and  also  living  far  remote 
from  Gwynedd  Monthly  Meeting  whereunto  we  belonged ;  and 
the  difficulty  we  sometimes  had  to  attend  the  same  :  under 
these  considerations,  a  concern  came  upon  Friends  here,  to 
make  application  to  the  Monthly  Meeting,  to  have  a  Monthly 


88 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


Meeting  established  among  ourselves,  desiring  their  considera- 
tion and  concurrence  to  propose  our  request  to  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  at  Philadelphia  ;  -which,  after  deliberate  consideration 
of  the  Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meetings,  our  said  request  was 
allowed  of  and  granted. 

"  At  a  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  at  Philadelphia  the  1st  of  the 
9th  month,  1742,  the  motion  from  Gwynedd  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, for  the  Friends  at  the  Swamp  being  a  Monthly  Meeting 
of  themselves,  to  be  held  the  third  fifth  day  of  the  week,  monthly, 
is  granted. 

"  Copy.  "  Samuel  Preston,  Chrh." 

(Richland  Monthly  Meeting.) 

RICHLAND. 

1710. — "  Richland,  formerly  known  only  by  the  name  of  the 
'  Great  Swamp,'  was  first  settled  by  a  few  families  of  Friends, 
about  the  year  1710.  They  soon  after  had  a  meeting  for  wor- 
ship settled  among  them.  Some  time  after,  increasing  in  big- 
ness, they  had  a  preparative  meeting  of  business  set  up  by  au- 
thority of  Gwynedd  Monthly  Meeting,  to  which  they  belonged 
till  1742."— (S.  Smith.) 

STROUDSBURG. 

1809. — The  meeting  at  Stroudsburg  was  indulged  by  Rich- 
land Monthly  Meeting  in  1809,  and,  two  years  after,  a  prepa- 
tive  meeting  was  established  there,  and  is  so  continued. 

IV.— HORSHAM  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1782. — "  Horsham,  in  the  county  of  Philadelphia,  in  Penn- 
sylvania, 1782. 

"  On  the  29th  day  of  the  eighth  month,  1782,  being  the  fifth 
day  of  the  week,  a  considerable  number  of  men  and  women 
Friends,  members  of  the  Preparative  Meetings  of  Horsham  and 
Byberry,  also  a  committee  appointed  by  the  Monthly  Meeting 


ABINGTON  QUARTER. 


89 


of  Abington,  and  divers  Friends  of  a  committee  of  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  of  Philadelphia,  each  consisting  of  men  and 
women,  assembled  at  the  mecting-hoiise  of  Friends  in  Horsham 
aforesaid,  when,  after  a  seasonable  time  of  silent  retirement 
and  acceptable  ministerial  labor,  the  following  minutes  of  the 
said  Monthly  and  Quarterly  IMeetings  were  read,  &c. 

"  After  which,  the  women  Friends  retired  into  a  separate 
apartment  of  the  said  meeting-house,  in  order  to  consider  and 
conclude  upon  the  necessary  matters  for  the  future  orderly 
management  of  the  affairs  of  Truth,  to  come  under  their  parti- 
cular care.  And  the  men  Friends  proceeded  on  the  proper 
consideration  of  such  matters  as  were  most  immediately  neces- 
sary for  the  future  conducting  of  the  weighty  affairs  of  the 
said  Monthly  Meeting." — (Horsham  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  Monthly  Meeting  continued  to  be  held  alternate  at 
Horsham  and  Byberry  until  1810,  when  the  latter  became  a 
Monthly  Meeting. 

n  0  R  s  H  A  M. 

1716.  — "Friends  of  Horsham  made  application  for  a  con- 
stant meeting,  to  be  kept  on  first  and  sixth  days,  during  the 
winter  season,  which  was  granted."    And  in 

1717.  — "  Friends  of  Horsham  request  a  preparative  meet- 
ing, which  is  granted  to  them." — (Abington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

"  It  is  agreed  that  there  be  two  overseers  chosen  for  Horsham 
Meeting,  viz.,  John  Michener,  Thomas  Iredell." — (Abington 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

Preparative  Meetings  did  not  formerly  pi-eserve  any  record 
of  their  proceedings.  Horsham  record  Avas  begun  in  the  year 
1769. 

The  meeting  was  probably  held  at  private  houses  till  the 
year  1724,  when  "  application  being  made  by  Horsham  Friends 
for  some  assistance  towards  the  finishing  their  new  meetinfr- 
house,  the  meeting  having  taken  it  into  consideration,  orders. 


90 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


that  the  other  four  meetings  shall  assist  those  Friends  of 
Horsham." — (Abington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

In  1803,  a  new  and  commodious  house  was  erected,  seventy- 
two  by  forty  feet. 

UPPER  DUBLIN. 

1813.  — George  Shoemaker  informs  that  a  considerable 
number  of  our  members  have  been  convinced,  and  have  thought 
right  to  lay  before  this  meeting,  for  consideration,  the  propriety 
of  holding  an  indulged  meeting  for  worship  within  our  limits 
on  the  western  side."  "Benjamin  Lloyd,  &c.,  were  appointed 
to  take  the  matter  under  consideration,  and  report  their  sense 
to  next  meeting." 

1814.  — Report,  that  they  "  feel  unity  with  the  proposal ;" 
and  that  "Phoebe  Shoemaker,  having  offered  a  piece  of  ground 
for  the  purpose  of  building  on,  we  concur  with  accepting  of  it, 
and  indulging  said  meeting  as  soon  as  a  house  is  prepared." — 
(Horsham  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  I'cport  was  adopted,  and  a  meeting-house,  forty  feet 
square,  erected  for  the  accommodation  of  the  meeting ;  and 
"  that  it  be  distinguished  and  called  by  the  name  of  '  Upper 
Dublin  Meeting;'"  and  also,  "that  they  have  the  privilege 
of  holding  a  Preparative  Meeting  for  discipline." — (Horsham 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

WARMINSTER. 

1840. — "We,  the  undersigned,  members  of  Horsham  Par- 
ticular Meeting,  taking  into  consideration  the  distance  which 
many  of  us  reside  from  said  meeting,  have  believed  that  a 
benefit  would  arise  to  Society  if  a  meeting  of  worship  could  be 
established  among  us.  Therefore  we  request,  for  ourselves  and 
families,  the  privilege  of  holding  an  indulged  meeting,  for  public 
worship,  in  Warminster  township,  in  the  county  of  Bucks,  and 


ABINQTON  QUARTER. 


91 


wish  the  meeting  to  take  the  subject  under  their  deliberate 
consideration. 

"  Signed  by 

"Daniel  Longstretii," 

(And  nine  others.) 
(Horsham  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  request  was  granted,  ground  purchased,  and  a  meeting- 
house erected.  In  1841,  the  meeting  was  established,  and  a 
Preparative  Meeting  allowed. 

W  n  I  T  E  M  A  R  S  H. 

 ? — A  small  meeting-house  has  existed  at  this  place  for 

a  number  of  years,  the  property  of  Friends,  but  is  not  used, 
except  for  meetings  specially  appointed  to  be  held  there. 

v.— BTBERRY  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1810. — The  Preparative  Meeting  of  Byberry  was  separated 
from  Horsham  and  constituted  a  new  Monthly  Meeting  in  the 
year  1810.    We  have  no  records. 

BYBERRY. 

1683. — "  At  a  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Friends,  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  in  the  sixth  month,  1683,  it  Avas  then  and  there 
agreed  and  concluded  that  there  be  established  a  first  day 
meeting  at  Poetquesink,"  &c. — (Abington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

"  In  the  year  1683  a  meeting  of  worship  was  settled  among 
the  Friends  at  Poetquesink,  which  was  held  at  John  Hart's 
house,  and  which  afterwards  became  Byberry  Meeting." — 
(S.  Smith.) 

1701. — The  Preparative  Meeting  of  Byberry  appears  to  have 
been  established  about  the  year  1701. 

The  new  stone  meeting-house  was  built  in  1714,  and  an  addi- 
tion added  in  1753.  In  1808  another  meeting-house  was 
erected,  "about  sixty-six  feet  by  thirty-six." 


92 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

WESTERN  QUARTER. 

1758. — "  Our  Quarterly  Meeting,  consisting  of  fourteen 
Monthly  Meetings,  whose  business  to  it  abounding  beyond  the 
work  of  one  day,  the  same  has  been  for  some  years  a  particular 
concern  of  this  meeting  ;  and  divers  expedients  have  been  pro- 
posed, if  practicable,  to  keep  together  longer,  and  also  gain 
more  time  for  the  work  of  the  discipline.  Yet  the  inconve- 
nience arising  from  want  of  time  to  transact  business  in,  seems 
not  remediable  any  other  way  than  by  dividing  into  two  Quar- 
terly Meetings  ;  which  having  been  repeatedly  discussed  and 
considered  by  committees,  and  also  in  our  meetings,  it  now  ap- 
pears to  be  the  unanimous  sense  of  Friends  to  divide  as  follows, 
viz, : — 

"  That  Newark,  New  Garden,  Nottingham,  Bradford,  Sads- 
bury.  Duck  Creek,  Hopewell,  Fairfax,  and  Warrington  Monthly 
Meetings,  should  compose  a  Quarterly  Meeting,  to  be  held  at 
London  Grove  meeting-house,  &c.,  to  be  known  by  the  name 
of  the  Western  Division  of  Chester  County.  And  that  the 
other  five  Monthly  Meetings,  viz.,  Chester,  Goshen,  Darby, 
Concord,  and  Wilmington,  should  remain  a  Quarterly  Meeting 
as  before,"  &c. — (Chester  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

1758. — "  Whereas,  at  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  men  Friends, 
held  at  Burlington,  in  the  ninth  month  last,  upon  application 
made  by  Chester  Quarterly  Meeting  for  a  division  thereof  into 
two  quarterly  meetings  ;  the  Yearly  Meeting  concurred  with 
the  proposal,  and  agreed  to  establish  one,  by  the  name  of  the 
Western  Quarterly  Meeting,  to  be  held  for  the  present  at 
London  Grove  meeting-house,  in  the  county  of  Chester  afore- 
said, on  the  third  second  day  of  the  week,  in  the  second,  fifth, 
eighth,  and  eleventh  months,  until  further  direction.  In  pur- 
suance whereof — 


WESTERN  QUARTER. 


93 


"  The  first  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Friends,  held  at  London 
Grove  aforesaid,  was  on  the  20th  of  the  11th  month,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord,  1758." — (Western  Quarterly  Meeting  of 
Women  Friends.) 

As  few  opportunities  occur  of  quoting  from  the  records  of 
women's  meetings,  I  do  so  with  pleasure  in  the  foregoing  in- 
stance. For  the  information  of  the  uninitiated,  I  may  mention, 
that  so  soon  as  Friends  had  fully  organized  their  meetings  for 
discipline,  separate  meetings  for  women  were  established,  usually 
at  the  same  time  and  place  as  those  of  the  men,  allowing  each 
separately  to  transact  their  appropriate  business,  or  jointly  to 
labor  for  the  promotion  of  the  general  concerns  of  Society. 
In  the  latter  case,  they  generally  united  Avith  their  brethren, 
by  appointing  committees  to  accompany  and  assist  in  the  ser- 
vice. The  treatment  of  oifenders  of  their  own  sex  was  more 
especially  left  to  themselves. 

I.— KENNET  MONTHLY  MEETING  (FORMERLY  NEWARK,  OR 
ORIGINALLY,  NEW  CASTLE). 

There  was  probably  a  Monthly  Meeting  held  at  New  Castle 
for  some  time  previous,  of  which  no  record  remains.  The  first 
minute  extant,  does  not  seem  like  the  opening  of  a  new  Monthly 
Meeting. 

1686.  — "At  the  Monthly  Meeting  held  at  the  Widow 
Welsh's,  Edward  Gibbs  and  Edith  Crawford  proposed  their  in- 
tentions of  marriage  with  each  other,  the  man  producing  a  cer- 
tificate from  the  Monthly  Meeting  in  Maryland,  signifying  his 
clearness." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1687.  — "  This  meeting,  taking  into  consideration  the  matter 
of  the  men's  meeting,  which  hitherto  hath  been  kept  at  New 
Castle,  and  finding,  upon  due  consideration,  that  it  may  be 
more  convenient  for  the  present,  that  it  be  kept  twice  on  the 
other  side  of  Brandywine,  and  the  third,  which  will  be  the 
Quarterly  Meeting,  to  be  kept  at  New  Castle." — (Kennet 
Monthly  Meeting.) 


94 


SETTLEMENT  OP  MEETINGS. 


Friends  of  New  Castle,  perhaps  not  liking  the  removal  of 
the  Monthly  Meeting  from  them,  grew  careless  of  attendance, 
and  were  several  times  requested  to  attend,  but  they  still  not 
complying,  the  following  minute  occurs, — 

1689.— "The  Monthly  Meeting  being  held  at  Morgan 
Dewitt's,  debated  concerning  the  deficiency  of  Edward  Blake 
and  others,  formerly  belonging  to  the  meeting  at  New  Castle, 
in  not  answering  the  desire  of  the  meeting,  by  coming  hither, 
on  this  side  Brandywine  Creek,  but  have  notwithstanding  ab- 
sented themselves.  The  meeting  therefore  appoints  that  the 
next  Quarterly  Meeting  be  held  on  this  side  Brandywine, 
where  it  will  fall  in  coarse." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

From  this  time,  the  Monthly  Meeting  was  most  frequently 
held  at  "Valentine  Hollingsworth's  at  Newark,"  often  at 
other  Friends'  houses,  and  a  few  times  at  New  Castle,  up  to 
1704,  when, 

1704. — "This  meeting  orders,  that  our  next  Monthly  Meet- 
ing be  held  at  the  Centre,  which  is  supposed  to  be  George  Har- 
lan's ould  house." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  last  Monthly  Meeting  held  at  Newark,  was  in  the  year 

1707.  From  the  building  of  the  meeting-house  at  Centre,  in 

1708,  it  was  generally  held  there,  a  few  times  at  New  Garden, 
until  the  separation  of  that  meeting  in  1718.  It  was  first  kept 
at  Kennet,  in  1721,  and  after  1726,  once  in  three  months. 
These  removes  were,  however,  made  by  the  special  appoint- 
ment of  the  meeting,  from  month  to  month. 

1720.—"  The  settlement  of  the  Monthly  Meetings  to  be 
sometimes  at  Kennet,  have  been  under  the  consideration  of  this 
meeting,  and  the  concurrent  conclusion  of  this  meeting  is,  that 
it  is  settled  every  other  time  at  Kennet,  until  further  order." — 
(Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1760. — "Agreeable  to  our  request,  the  Quarterly  Meeting 
has  allowed  of  the  alteration  of  the  name  of  our  Monthly 


WESTERN  QUARTER. 


95 


Meeting,  from  Newark  to  that  of  Kennet ;  Mhich  is  to  be  its 
name  till  further  orders." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

After  the  separation  of  Centre  Monthly  Meeting  in  the  year 
1808,  Kennet  Monthly  Meeting  alternated  to  Marlborough  ; 
and  when  Kennet  Square  Meeting  was  set  up  in  1820,  the 
Monthly  Meeting  circulated  there  also. 

NEW  CASTLE. 

1684. — "  John  Hussey,  John  Richardson,  Edward  Blake, 
George  Hogg,  Benjamin  Swett,  and  other  Friends,  being  set- 
tled in  and  near  New  Castle,  held  meetings  at  each  other's 
houses,  which  was  established  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting  at 
Philadelphia.  In  1705  a  lot  of  ground  was  purchased,  and  a 
meeting-house  built." — (S.  Smith.) 

As  the  settlement  of  Friends  above  the  Brandywine  increased, 
and  the  meeting  established  at  Newark,  the  meeting  at  New 
Castle  declined,  and  was  finally  dropped  in  1758,  its  members 
attending  AVilmington  Meeting.  The  meeting-house  has  re- 
cently been  sold  by  Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.  The  grave- 
yard is  still  held,  on  account  of  the  remains  of  the  dead  de- 
posited therein. 

NEWARK. 

1682. — "  About  the  year  1682,  several  families  of  Friends 
arrived  and  settled  on  the  east  side  of  Brandywine,  in  New 
Castle  County,  viz.,  Valentine  Hollingsworth,  William  Stock- 
dale,  Thomas  Connowa}^  Adam  Sharpley,  Morgan  Drewitt, 
Valentine  Morgan,  Cornelius  Empson,  and  others ;  and  held  a 
meeting  for  worship  at  said  Valentine  Morgan's  [Hollings- 
worth's  ?]  and  Cornelius  Empson's,  until  the  year  1688,  when 
said  Valentine  [Hollingsworth  ;  the  Monthly  Meeting  minute 
is  clear]  gave  that  piece  of  ground  for  a  meeting-house  and 
graveyard,  which  was  known  by  the  name  of  Newark  Meeting  ; 
which  lasted  till  1754  :  when  they  being  suited  with  a  better 
conveniency,  it  was  laid  down." — (S.  Smith.) 


96 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


K  E  N  N  E  T. 

1707. — "  Vincent  Caldwell,  Thomas  Wickersham,  Joel  Bailey, 
Thomas  Hope,  Guyan  Miller,  and  others,  being  settled  in  Ken- 
net  and  the  east  end  of  Marlborough,  had  liberty  to  keep  a 
meeting  for  worship  sometimes  at  private  houses.  In  the  year 
1710,  a  piece  of  land  Avas  purchased,  and  a  meeting-house  built ; 
which  was  enlarged  in  1719 ;  in  1731  it  was  further  enlarged," 
— (S.  Smith.) 

MARLBOROUGH. 

1799. — The  meeting  at  Marlborough  was  constituted  of 
members  taken  from  Kennet  and  London  Grove,  and  was  first 
held  in  a  schoolhouse  near  Richard  Barnard's.  In  1801,  the 
joint  committee  reported  in  favor  of  establishing  the  tneet- 
ings  ;  which  was  confirmed  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting  as  a 
branch  of  Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.  The  following  year  a 
Preparative  Meeting  was  admitted  there. 

KENNE<r  SQUARE. 

1812. — This  meeting  was  at  first  an  indulgence  to  some  mem- 
bers of  Centre,  Kennet,  New  Garden,  and  London  Grove 
Monthly  Meetings;  and  held  at  the  house  of  John  Phillips, 
near  Kennet  Square.  In  1814,  it  was  proposed  by  the  said 
Monthly  Meetings  to  the  Quarter,  to  establish  the  said  meeting, 
with  the  privilege  of  a  Preparative  Meeting,  and  to  be  united 
to  Kennet  Monthly  Meeting. 

1814. — "At  the  Western  Quarterly  Meeting  held  the  seven- 
teenth of  the  eighth  month,  1814, 

"The  committee  on  the  request  of  Friends  in  the  vicinity  of 
Kennet  Square  report,  that  it  is  their  prevailing  judgment  that 
it  will  be  best  their  request,  as  noted  in  the  minute  of  seventh 
month  last,  should  be  granted ;  which  is  concurred  with  by  the 
Quarterly  Meeting,"  &c. — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 


WESTERN  QUARTER. 


97 


The  mccting-liouse  was  built  in  Kennet  Square  the  same 
year. 

UNIONVILLE. 

1845. — "  The  committees  of  men  and  women  Friends,  re- 
spectively appointed  by  the  Monthly  Meetings  of  Kennet  and 
London  Grove,  report,  that  having  generally  met,  and  had  a 
full  conference  with  the  principal  part  of  those  members  of  the 
two  Monthly  Meetings  which  are  embraced  in  the  application, 
and  after  a  time  of  solid  consideration  (the  said  committees 
acting  conjointly),  were  much  united  in  believing  that  it  would 
be  right  to  grant  the  request ;  and  that  an  indulged  meeting, 
to  be  called  Unionville  Meeting,  be  accordingly  held  in  the 
house  already  provided,"  &c. 

"  Which,  on  deliberate  consideration,  was  united  with.  Wo- 
men's Meeting  also  concurring ;  and  the  following  Friends 
appointed  to  unite  with  women  Friends,  to  attend  the  opening 
of  said  meeting,  and  have  the  general  oversight  thereof,  con- 
jointly with  a  committee  of  Kennet  Monthly  Meeting,"  &c. — 
(London  Grove  Monthly  Meeting.) 

II.— NEW  GARDEN  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1718. — "  Our  request  to  the  last  Quarterly  Meeting,  con- 
cerning the  parting  of  our  Monthly  Meeting  into  two  Monthly 
Meetings,  was  granted.  Therefore,  it  is  agreed,"  &c. — (Ken- 
net Monthly  Meeting.) 

"  At  our  Monthly  Meeting  of  New  Garden,  held  at  New 
Garden,  the  12th  of  the  fifth  month,  1718,  being  the  first  held 
distinct  from  Newark." — (New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  Monthly  Meeting  was  sometimes  held  at  Nottingham, 
till  the  establishment  of  that  Monthly  Meeting,  in  1729. 
Thenceforward  it  alternated  to  London  Grove,  till  1792,  when 
a  Monthly  Meeting  was  set  up  at  that  place.  From  that  time, 
it  was  held  alternate  at  New  Garden  and  West  Grove,  till 
1845,  when  it  began  to  circulate  to  Mill  Creek,  and  so  con- 
tinues. 

7 


98 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


NEW  GARDEN. 

1712. — "In  the  year  1712,  several  Friends,  viz.,  John 
Miller,  John  Lowdon,  Michael  Lightfoot,  James  Starr,  Thomas 
Garnet,  and  others,  being  settled  in  New  Garden,  they  mostly 
frequented  Kennet  Meeting,  till  about  the  year  1714  or  1715, 
■when  a  meeting  was  settled  there,  and  a  meeting-house  built, 
which  continued  till  about  the  year  1743,  when  a  larger  house 
was  built." — (S.  Smith.) 

1715. — "  Friends  belonging  to  New  Garden  First  Day  Meet- 
ing, having  requested  of  this  meeting  the  liberty  of  holding  a 
Preparative  Meeting  at  the  meeting-house  of  New  Garden, 
this  meeting  approves  of  their  request,  and  grants  them  the 
liberty  of  holding  such  a  Preparative  Meeting," — (Kennet 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

In  1743,  the  south  end  of  the  present  brick  edifice  was 
erected  in  room  of  the  former  log  one.  The  north  end  was 
added  about  the  year  1790. 

Tradition  says  that  the  original  house  was  of  hewn  logs, 
tenoned  into  guttered  corner-posts  ;  and  when  taken  down,  it 
was  re-erected  for  a  barn  by  William  Miller,  son  of  John,  who 

then  occupied  the  Avondale  Farm.    In  it  was  again  taken 

down,  and  converted  into  fuel,  by  a  succeeding  occupant, 
to  the  regret  of  the  venerable  Jacob  Lindley,  whose  religious 
reminiscences  are  said  to  have  been  so  excited,  that  he  almost 
deemed  it  sacrilege  to  burn  that  temple,  made  with  hands  which 
had  witnessed  his  early  devotions  ;  but  his  remonstrance  did 
not  avail  to  place  it 

"  Above  the  reach  of  sacrilegious  hands." 
WEST  GROVE. 

1787. — The  Jacksons,  Micheners,  Puseys,  Prestons,  and 
many  other  families  of  Friends,  having  settled  about  West 
Grove,  a  meeting-house  was  built,  and  a  meeting  indulged 
therein  by  New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting,  in  the  year  1787. 


WESTERN  QUAKTER. 


99 


The  following  year,  the  Monthly  INIccting  proposed  to  the 
Quarter  to  establish  the  new  meeting,  whose  committee  re- 
ported that, 

" '  After  divers  opportunities  had  with  friends  there,  in 
weightily  considering  the  proposals,  and  freely  conferring 
together  thereon  among  ourselves,  now  unite  in  believing  that, 
under  every  consideration,  it  may  be  best  for  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  to  concur  in  the  establishment  of  a  meeting  there. 
Which  is  submitted,  &c.  Signed  (by  eight  men  and  six  Avomen) 
the  15th  of  second  month,  1789/  Which,  being  considered,  is 
concurred  with." — (Western  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

A  Preparative  Meeting  was  allowed  at  West  Grove,  in  the 
year  1790. 

In  1831,  a  new  meeting-house  was  erected,  some  distance 
from  the  former,  and  the  meeting  has  since  been  held  therein. 

spencer's  (indulged). 

1813. — Samuel  Spencer,  John  Hallowell,  Francis  Good,  and 
other  Friends,  living  in  the  lower  part  of  New  London,  remote 
from  West  Grove  Meeting,  were  indulged  to  hold  meetings  for 
worship  in  Spencer's  school-house.  It  was  opened  the  10th  of 
the  first  month,  1813.  In  1833,  the  week-day  meeting  was 
discontinued,  and  that  on  first  days  in  1836, — the  members 
returning  to  West  Grove,  where  they  had  formerly  belonged. 

MILL  CREEK. 

1838. — James  Thompson,  and  thirty-two  other  Friends,  pro- 
duced a  written  request  to  New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting  for 
the  indulgence  of  a  meeting  for  worship  in  Mill  Creek  Hun- 
dred, to  be  composed  of  members  of  New  Garden,  Centre,  and 
Wilmington  Monthly  Meetings.  The  following  report  of  the 
joint  committees  of  men  and  women,  from  each  of  those  meet- 
ings, "on  deliberation,  was  adopted:" — 

"  To  New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting. 
"  At  a  meeting  of  the  joint  committees  of  men  and  women 


100 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


Friends  of  New  Garden,  Centre,  and  Wilmington  Monthly 
Meetings,  held  at  James  Thompson's,  16th  of  tenth  month, 
1838,  to  consider  the  proposition  of  a  number  of  Friends  be- 
longing to  those  meetings,  to  hold  an  Indulged  Meeting,  at  such 
time  and  place  as  may  be  thought  best,  having  nearly  all  met, 
and  weightily  considered  the  subject,  are  united  in  judgment 
that  the  request  of  those  Friends  should  be  granted.  Said 
Indulged  Meeting  to  be  under  the  care  of  New  Garden  Monthly 
Meeting. 

"  Signed  by  direction  and  on  behalf  of  the  committee,  by 

"  Saeah  Michener, 
"  Sarah  Wilson, 
"  Martha  Hillis, 
"Jonathan  Lamborn, 
"Ephraim  Jackson, 
"Benjamin  Ferris." 
(New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1841. — In  this  year  a  commodious  meeting-house  was  built ; 
and  the  meeting  being  the  same  year  established,  with  the  pri- 
vilege of  a  Preparative  Meeting,  was  removed  thereto, — having 
been  previously  held  at  the  house  of  James  Thompson. 

III.— LONDON  GROVE  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1792. — "We,  the  committee  appointed  to  consider  the  pro- 
posal which  came  from  New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting,  in  the 
eighth  month,  last  year,  respecting  a  division  thereof  into  two 
Monthly  Meetings,  having  a  considerable  number  of  us,  at  dif- 
ferent times,  visited  the  Preparative  Meetings  and  Monthly 
Meetings,  and  paid  close  attention  to  the  subject,  and  being 
now  met  in  a  solid  conference  thereon,  are  generally  united  in 
the  prospect  of  a  division :  and  have  not,  in  the  present  cir- 
cumstances, seen  any  other  method  for  it  than  the  way  pro- 
posed, viz.,  that  New  Garden  and  West  Grove  Meetings  make 
up  one  Monthly  Meeting ;  and  the  members  of  London  Grove 


WESTERN  QUARTER. 


101 


Preparative  Meeting  another, — which  we  submit  to  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting. 

"  Signed  on  behalf  of  all  who  were  present  (thirteen  men 
and  seven  women  Friends)  by 

"Abraham  Gibbons, 
"  Mary  Jackson. 
"Which  being  several  times  read,  and  many  uniting  senti- 
ments expressed,  is  concurred  with,"  &c. — (Western  Quarterly 
Meeting.) 

LONDON  GROVE. 

1714. — "In  the  year  1714,  Francis  Swayne,  John  Smith, 
Joseph  Pennock,  William  Pusey,  and  several  other  Friends, 
being  settled  at  Marlborough,  &c.,  kept  a  meeting  for  some 
time  at  John  Smith's  house,  until  about  the  year  1724,  when  a 
meeting  was  settled  there,  and  a  meeting-house  built  in  London 
Grove  Township."— (S.  Smith.) 

1714. — "Friends  of  Marlborough  request  of  this  meeting  to 
have  a  meeting  at  the  house  of  John  Smith,  one  first-day  in 
the  month,  and  every  other  sixth-day,  for  half  a  year.  And 
this  meeting,  having  taken  the  same  into  consideration,  have 
consented  that  it  go  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  for  approbation." 
— (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.)    It  was  granted. 

1724. — "  Friends  of  Marlborough  Meeting  (with  the  consent 
of  New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting)  request  of  this  meeting,  that 
they  may  have  liberty  to  build  a  meeting-house  on  the  corner 
of  London  Grove  Township,  joining  to  Marlborough,  in  order 
to  keep  a  meeting  there,"  &c. — (Chester  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

A  larger  one  was  built  in  1743,  and  replaced  by  the  present 
commodious  one  in  1818,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  also. 

IV.— CENTRE  MONTHLY  MEBTINa. 

1808. — Kennet  Monthly  Meeting  having  proposed  for  the 
consideration  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  to  divide  the  Monthly 


102 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


Meeting  ;  Keiinet  and  Marlborough  Meetings  to  compose  one, 
and  Centre  and  Hockesson  another,  to  be  called  Centre  Monthly 
Meeting  ;  and  the  committee  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting  having 
reported  favorably,  the  proposal  was  concurred  -with. 

"  The  committee  have  visited  all  the  Preparative  Meetings 
belonging  to  that  meeting,  and  also  the  Monthly  Meeting,  and 
have  endeavored  to  attend  to  the  state  and  situation  of  each  ; 
and  after  solidly  considering  the  same,  do  agree  to  report,  that 
•we  are  united  in  believing  that  it  may  be  of  advantage  to  that 
meeting  to  be  divided  into  two  separate  Monthly  Meetings, 
agreeable  to  their  request,  &c. 
"  Signed,  &c.,  by 

"  Hannah  Jackson, 
"Elizabeth  Pennock, 
"  George  Churchman, 
"John  Kinsey." 
(Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 
The  Monthly  Meeting  is  held  alternate  at  the  two  houses. 
Centre  and  Hockesson, 

CENTRE. 

1687. — "About  the  year  1687,  George  Harlan,  Thomas 
Hollingsworth,  Alphonsus  Kirk,  William  Gregg,  and  other 
Friends,  settled  on  the  west  side  of  Brandywine." — (S.  Smith) 

They  attended  Newark  Meeting  until 

1687. — "  At  the  request  of  Friends  beyond  Brandywine,  to 
have  a  meeting  there  this  winter  season  ;  to  which  Friends  are 
willing,  and  thereto  consent." 

1689.  — "  George  Harlan  desires  the  concurrence  of  Friends, 
on  behalf  of  the  families  on  the  other  side  of  Brandywine,  for 
the  holding  a  meeting  for  this  winter  season  among  themselves, 
by  reason  of  the  dangerousness  of  the  ford  ;  to  which  this  meet- 
ing agrees  and  consents." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1690.  — "George  Harlan  laid  before  this  meeting,  to  have  a 
meeting  kept  constantly  over  Brandywine.  The  meeting  con- 
descends thereto." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  meeting-house  was  built  about  the  year  1708. 


WESTERN  QUARTER. 


103 


HOCKESSON, 

1737. — "  Henry  Dixon,  John  Baldwin,  John  Dixon,  and 
divers  other  Friends,  being  settled  in  Mill  Creek  Hundred,  New- 
Castle  County,  in  1737,  a  meeting  for  worship  was  established 
among  them.  It  is  known  by  the  name  of  '  Hockcsson  Meet- 
ing;' so  called  from  an  Indian  town  that  was  formerly  near 
that  place."— (S.  Smith.) 

Yet  we  find  an  earlier  date  recorded. 

1730. — "  Newark  Preparative  Meeting  signified  that  the 
Friends  of  Mill  Creek  Hundred  request  to  have  a  week-day 
meeting  settled  among  them ;  with  which  this  meeting  is  so 
fully  satisfied,  that  we  grant  them  the  liberty  to  keep  a  meeting 
at  the  house  of  William  Cox  upon  the  sixth  day  of  the  week, 
every  week,  until  further  order." 

In  1737,  a  first  and  week-day  meeting  was  settled  among 
them,  and  the  following  year  a  meeting-house  was  erected, 
which  was  enlarged  in  1745.  In  1786,  the  Preparative  Meet- 
ing of  Centre  and  Hockesson  was  divided  into  two  ;  one  being 
held  at  each  meeting-place. 

v.— FALLOWFIELD  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1811.— "At  the  Western  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  the  20th 
of  second  month,  1811,  '  We,  of  the  committee  appointed  in  the 
eighth  month  last,  respecting  the  division  of  London  Grove 
Monthly  Meeting,  most  of  our  number  having  visited  the  meet- 
ings proposed  to  be  separated,  after  a  free  communication  of 
sentiments  thereon,  are  united  in  believing  that  it  might  tend 
to  the  promotion  of  Truth  for  the  division  to  take  place  in  the 
manner  proposed  by  the  said  meetings,  &c. 

"  '  Signed  on  behalf  of  the  committee, 

" '  Alice  Lewis, 
"  '  Alice  Jackson, 
"  'James  Jackson, 
" 'David  Wilson.' 


104 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


"Whicli,  being  deliberately  considered,  is  concurred  with,  and 
John  Parker,  Jacob  Lindlcy,  James  Wilson,  Jonathan  Grave, 
Joseph  Bernard,  Robert  Clendenin,  Lydia  Phillips,  Mercy 
Brown,  Elizabeth  Way,  Rebecca  Chambers,  Anna  Balance, 
and  Miriam  Lamborn,  are  appointed  to  attend  the  opening  of 
said  meeting. 

"  Extracted  from  the  minutes. 

"  Enoch  Lewis, 
"  Elizabeth  Way, 

''Clerks." 
(Western  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

The  Monthly  Meeting  was  to  consist  of  Fallowfield  and  Doe 
Run  Preparative  Meetings. 

FALLOWFIELD. 

1792.  —  Many  Friends,  the  Bakers,  Harlans,  Trumans, 
Mades,  &c.,  who  had  settled  in  Fallowfield,  belonged  to  Lon- 
don Grove  Monthly  Meeting,  and  before  its  establishment,  to 
New  Garden  ;  which  latter  meeting  had  already  indulged  them 
with  the  privilege  of  holding  a  meeting  for  worship,  at  the 
house  of  George  Welsh.  The  indulgence  was  renewed  by  Lon- 
don Grove  Monthly  Meeting. 

1792. — "  George  Welsh,  on  behalf  of  the  Friends  of  the  In- 
dulged Meeting  in  Fallowfield,  informs,  that  they  have  lately 
conferred  together,  and  were  generally  desirous  of  being  al- 
lowed the  liberty  of  holding  their  meetings  longer.  Which 
coming  under  consideration,  is  granted."  —  (London  Grove 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

Having  erected  a  meeting-house  in  1794,  the  Friends  of  Fal- 
lowfield then  requested  the  establishment  of  a  meeting  therein ; 
which,  being  approved  by  the  Monthly  Meeting,  was  sent  to 
the  Quarter,  whose  committee  of  women  friends  reported  : — 

1795. — "  That  some  of  their  number  attended  most  of  the 


WESTERN  QUARTER. 


105 


meetings  tliei'o  since  last  quarter,  in  company  with  men  Friends; 
and  after  solidly  conferring  together,  Avere  united  in  judgment, 
that  their  request  might  be  granted.  The  case  coming  weightily 
before  us,  some  solid  remarks  Avere  made,  and  concurring  senti- 
ments expressed.  This  meeting  unites  with  men  Friends  in 
granting  their  request." — (Western  Quarterly  Meeting,  Women 
Friends.) 

DOE  RUN. 

1805. — "  A  request  of  a  number  of  Friends  for  holding  a 
meeting  for  worship  in  Friends'  school-house  in  Londonderry 
Township,  being  laid  before  this  meeting,  &c.,  '  We,  the  com- 
mittee, &c.,  had  a  conference  with  them  ;  and  after  solidly 
considering  the  matter  among  ourselves,  are  generally  free  that 
they  may  be  left  at  liberty  to  hold  it  for  a  time,  under  the  care 
of  the  Monthly  Meeting,  or  a  committee  thereof. 
"  '  Signed,  on  behalf  of  the  committee, 

" '  Elizabeth  Pennock, 
" '  Hannah  Walton, 
" '  Joseph  Smith, 
"  '  Edward  Brookes.'  " 
(London  Grove  Monthly  Meeting.) 

This  meeting  was  composed  of  members  of  London  Grove 
and  New  Garden  Monthly  Meetings,  requiring  their  joint 
action,  which  does  not  appear  as  above. 

In  1808,  it  was  established  as  a  branch  of  Fallowfield  Pre- 
parative Meeting,  and  a  meeting-house  built  the  same  year. 
The  right  of  membership  for  twenty-five  members  of  New  Gar- 
den, was  transferred  to  London  Grove  by  a  general  certificate. 

A  Preparative  Meeting  was  established  in  1811,  at  the  same 
time  with  Fallowfield  Monthly  Meeting,  and  was  united  thereto. 

VI  — PENNSGROVE  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1842. — "  Minutes  were  received  of  the  proceedings  of  New 
Garden  and  Fallowfield  Monthly  Meetings,  having  in  view  the 


106 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


establishment  of  a  new  Monthly  Meeting  out  of  parts  of  those 
meetings,  to  be  called  Pennsgrove,  to  be  opened  at  Oxford 
meeting-house  in  the  third  month  next,  and  to  be  held  alternate 
at  Oxford  and  Pennsgrove.  Which  claiming,  &c.,  is  approved  ; 
and  Jonathan  Lamborn,  Eusebius  Bernard,  Charles  Buffington, 
David  Wilson,  Joseph  Chandler,  Ruth  Pjlc,  Asenath  Tigert, 
Martha  Lamborn,  Dinah  Phillips,  Rebecca  Pierce,  Ann  Chand- 
ler, Ann  Hadley,  and  Eliza  Way,  are  appointed  to  attend  the 
opening  of  said  meeting. 

"Extracted  from  the  minutes, 

"  Richard  M.  Barnard, 
"  Amy  Pennock, 

"  Olerksr 
(Western  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

The  Monthly  Meeting  is  composed  of  Pennsgrove  and  Ox- 
ford preparatives,  and  held  alternate. 

PENNSGROVE. 

1820. — On  the  request  of  John  Hambleton,  Joseph  Brown, 
Nathan  Sharpless,  and  divers  other  Friends,  with  their  families, 
New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting  indulged  them  the  privilege  of 
holding  a  meeting  at  the  house  of  Joseph  Brown,  in  the  year 
1820,  which  was  soon  after  removed  to  John  Hambleton's,  as 
being  more  convenient. 

In  1828,  the  meeting  was  discontinued  at  John  Hambleton's, 
and  kept  at  the  house  of  Samuel  Hadley,  under  the  care  of  a 
joint  committee  of  men  and  women  Friends.  In  1829,  the 
meeting  was  established,  with  the  privilege  of  holding  a  Pre- 
parative Meeting,  and  so  continued  till  1833,  when  the  meet- 
ing-house was  built  and  the  meeting  held  therein. 

OXFORD. 

1828.— Thus  early,  Fallowfield  Monthly  Meeting  had  in- 
dulged Samuel  Gatchel,  Asa  Walton,  Isaac  Clendenin,  Mahlon 
Broslus,  William  Brosius,  with  their  families,  and  divers  others, 
to  hold  meetings  in  a  house  of  Asa  Walton's,  in  Colerain  Town- 


so  I  rilEllA'   y  UART  E  R 


SCALE ■.  12  Miles  per  iiicli. 

AjjoqiiuiutUnt 

Sassafivs 

Bead  ofChcdt't 


CoecW 


A 


^  W 


Mottm-hiN 


TkckaJwe.  Neck 


MlfoM 


fhflfitank 


/  Q)Cmter 


Third  Immt 

Cove 


"^niu  Crave 


Cold  Sprifi 


Sitou'hiU 


SOUTHERN  QUARTER. 


107 


ship,  Lancaster  County.  This  was  continued  from  time  to 
time  till  1839,  when  the  present  meeting-house  in  Upper 
Oxford  was  built,  and  the  said  meeting  established  by  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  to  be  held  therein,  Avith  the  privilege  of 
holding  a  Preparative  Meeting,  as  a  branch  of  Fallowfield 
Monthly  Meeting. 


CHAPTER  X. 

SOUTHERN  QUARTER. 

So  early  as  1675,  a  General  Meeting  of  Friends  in  Mary- 
land was  called  by  John  Burnyeat,  which  was  also  attended 
by  George  Fox  and  his  companions,  soon  after  their  arrival 
from  Barbadoes.  This  meeting  continued  to  be  held  half- 
yearly,  alternate  at  West  River  and  on  the  Eastern  Shore, 
and  was  composed  of  Herring  Creek  Quarterly  jNIeeting,  on 
the  west,  and  Choptank,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Chesapeake. 

The  meetings  on  the  Eastern  Shore  were  eventually  turned 
over  to  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting.  Hence,  they  claim  a 
notice  in  this  place. 

My  notes,  taken  from  the  records  of  the  Half- Year's  Meet- 
ing of  Maryland,  mostly  relate  to  transactions  which  belonged 
to  the  Eastern  Shore,  and  therefore  more  properly  belong  to 
this  narrative. 

1G79.— "  At  a  Man's  Meeting,  at  Howell  Powell's,  the  4th 
of  fifth  month,  1679,  the  Half-Year's  Meeting  at  West  River 
advised,  that  Friends  on  this  side  should  appoint  a  Quarterly 
Meeting,  for  the  easing  of  the  Monthly  and  Half-Year's  Meet- 
ings, that  so  they  may  not  be  so  much  concerned  in  outward 
matters. 

"  It  is  agreed,  that  a  Quarterly  Man's  and  Woman's  Meet- 
ing be  kept  every  second  sixth  day  after  the  Monthly  Meeting, 


108 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


at  Tuckalloe,  at  the  house  of  William  Stephens,  Jr.,  at  the 
Island  Creek." — (Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1681. — "  At  our  Quarterly  Meeting,  at  John  Edmondson's, 
the  24th  of  fourth  month,  1681,  it  is  assented  to  and  concluded, 
that  a  Half- Year's  meeting-house  be  built  upon  the  most  con- 
venient point  for  a  good  landing  ;  and  respecting  Richard 
Mitchell,  for  convenience  of  passage  over  the  creek. 

"  The  house  to  be  built  forty  feet  long  and  twenty-two  feet 
wide,  and  twenty  feet  long  and  twenty-two  feet  wide  against 
the  broad  side  of  the  forty  feet  house,  in  the  form  of  a  T,  and 
to  be  good  substantial  work,  and  be  partitioned  most  suitable 
for  the  accommodation  of  Friends,  both  at  the  Half-Year's  and 
Quarterly  Meeting,  according  to  the  discretion  of  the  following 
Friends :  William  Southbee,  Richard  Mitchell,  Lovelace  Gor- 
such,  Ralph  Fishburn,  Bryan  Omelia,  John  Edmondson." — 
(Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  meeting-house  was  not  completed  till  the  year  1681,  as 
the  record  sets  forth. 

1684. — "  At  our  Yearly  Meeting,  at  our  meeting-house  at 
Thirdhaven  Creek,  the  7th  day  of  the  eighth  month,  1684,  it 
is  agreed  by  Friends  of  the  Eastern  Shore,  with  the  consent  of 
this  meeting,  that,  for  the  future,  all  Monthly  and  Quarterly 
Meetings  usually  kept  on  the  Eastern  Shore,  above  Somerset 
County,  at  other  places,  be  henceforth  kept  at  the  meeting- 
house at  Thirdhaven  Creek." — (Thirdhaven  Yearly  Meeting.) 

Prior  to  this  date,  the  record  calls  the  meeting  a  "Half- Year 
Meeting;"  henceforward  it  is  denominated  a  "Yearly  Meet- 
ing," as  here  above  quoted,  but  still  held  half-yearly. 

The  Southern  Quarterly  Meeting,  properly  so  called,  was 
not  established  until  the  year  1790. 

A  Quarterly  Meeting  had  long  been  held  at  Choptank  and 
Thirdhaven,  on  the  Eastei'n  Shore  of  Maryland,  which,  in  con- 
nection with  Herring  Creek  Quarter,  on  the  western  side  of 
the  bay,  constituted  Maryland  Yearly,  or  rather  Half- Year 
Meeting. 


SOUTHERN  QUARTER. 


109 


I.— THIRDHAVEN  MONTHLY  MEETING  (FORMERLY  CALLED 
TREDUAVEN) . 

1670. — "At  our  Man's  Meeting,  at  Wenlock  Christison's, 
24th  of  first  month,  1676." 

This  is  the  earliest  record  extant  of  this  Monthly  Meeting, 
but  it  had  probably  existed  for  some  time,  and  was  held  at 
private  houses,  or  perhaps  at  Choptank,  till  Thirdhaven  house 
was  built,  in  1684. 

The  meetings  around  Thirdhaven  were  numerous,  some  of 
them  only  transient,  and  not  all  in  existence  at  the  same  time. 
It  is  probable  they  all  belonged  to  the  one  Monthly  Meeting 
up  to  1698,  except  the  three  last.  Among  them  we  may  men- 
tion Choptank,  Tuckahoe,  Bayside,  and  Betty's  Cove ;  Cecil, 
Chester  River,  and  Sassafras  ;  Marshy  Creek,  Northwest  Fork, 
Centre,  and  Tuckahoe  Neck.  The  three  last  belonged  to  the 
Society  of  Nicholites,  till  their  union  with  Friends,  about  the 
commencement  of  the  present  century. 

A  few  notes  are  all  that  my  scanty  means  will  alford  in  re- 
lation to  those  meetings.  I  give  the  earliest  notices  in  my 
possession. 

TUCKAHOE. 

1676. — A  burial-ground  was  fenced  at  Tuckahoe  in  the  year 
1676.  In  1752,  a  Preparative  Meeting  was  settled.  In  1828, 
it  was  discontinued  ;  and  in  1839,  the  meeting  for  worship  also 
was  dropped. 

BAYSIDE. 

The  Preparative  Meeting  at  this  place  Avas  discontinued  in 
1826  ;  the  meeting  for  worship  was  also  dropped,  and  the  mem- 
bers attached  to  Thirdhaven  Preparative  Meeting,  in  1841. 

B  E  T  T  Y  '  S  COVE. 

1676. — Mention  is  made  of  this  meeting  in  1676.  Two  years 
after,  the  Half-Year's  Meeting  was  held  there,  and,  for  its 


110 


SETTLEMENT  OF  .AIEETINGS. 


further  accommodation,  tlie  house  was  ordered  to  be  "lofted 
and  partitioned,  with  falling  windows,  hung  with  hinges."  But 
the  meeting  was  soon  after  removed  to  John  Edmondson's 
house  (at  Tredhaven),  and  the  order  countermanded.  The 
meeting  was  discontinued  early. 

C  II  0  P  T  A  U  K. 

1684. — Mentioned  in  this  year ;  probably  much  older.  In 
1734,  the  Monthly  Meeting  Avas  removed  from  Choptank  to 
the  new  meeting-house  at  Thirdhaven.  Choptank  Preparative 
Meeting  was  dropped  in  1806,  and  the  meeting  for  woi-ship,  in 
1834. 

TUCKAHOENECK. 

1798. — This  meeting  was  originally  of  the  Nicholites,  and 
probably  was  instituted  about  a  hundred  years  ago.  In  1798, 
the  members  joined  Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends, 
and  transferred  their  property  thereto,  as  elsewhere  mentioned. 

GREEN  SBOROUGH     (FORMERLY    QUEEN  ANN'S, 

OR  transquaking). 

1701. — The  first  notice  observed  was  in  1701.  The  meeting 
was  laid  down  in  1807. 

n.— CECIL  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1698. — "At  our  Monthly  Meeting,  held  at  our  meeting-house, 
in  Cecil  County,  the  9th  of  ninth  month,  1698,  it  being  our 
first  Monthly  Meeting,  desired  by  Friends  of  Cecil  and  Chester 
Meetings,  and  granted  by  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  Thirdhaven, 
that  Friends  of  Cecil  and  Kent  Counties  should  have  a  Monthly 
Meeting  established  among  them." — (Cecil  Monthly  Meeting.) 

If  the  notes  furnished  are  correct,  both  Cecil  and  Chester 
Meetings  reported  their  state  to  Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting 
in  1701. 


SOUTHERN  QUARTER. 


Ill 


In  1848,  the  Monthly  Meeting  began  to  be  held  alternate  at 
Cecil  and  Chester,  and  so  continues. 

CECIL. 

Records  wanting. 

CHESTER. 

This  and  the  preceding  were  established  early. 
The  Preparative  Meeting,  at  the  head  of  Chester,  was  laid 
down  in  1840,  and  the  members  joined  to  Cecil. 

SASSAFRAS. 

1679.— "At  Cecil  Monthly  Meeting,  the    of  tenth 

month,  1738,  John  Browning  and  Joshua  Vansant  were  ap- 
pointed to  take  a  deed  from  William  Stoopes  for  a  piece  of 
land  on  the  head  of  Swan  Creek,  near  the  head  of  Sassafras, 
for  the  purpose  of  building  a  meeting-house  for  the  people 
called  Quakers." — (Cecil  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  foregoing  meetings  were  all  within  the  State  of  Mary- 
land, and  situate  on  the  Eastern  Shore  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay. 
Under  the  old  regime  of  a  Yearly  Meeting  to  a  State,  they 
were  united  with  meetings  on  the  Western  Shore ;  while  other 
contiguous  meetings  on  the  Delaware  side  of  the  peninsula  were 
turned  to  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting. 

III.— CAMDEN  MONTHLY  MEETING  (FORMERLY  DUCK  CREEK). 

1705. — "Anthony  Morris  and  Richard  GaAV,  having  lately 
been  down  visiting  Duck  Creek  and  thereabouts,  inform  this 
meeting  that  the  said  Friends  request  that  there  is  need  of  a 
Monthly  Meeting  to  be  held  among  them  ;  which  this  meeting, 
upon  further  consideration,  doth  admit  of." — (Chester  Quarterly 
Meeting.) 

1705.—"  The  tenth  month,  19th,  1705.    This  day  was  held 


112 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


the  Montlily  Meeting  of  Friends  at  Duck  Creek ;  it  being  the 
first  Monthly  Meeting,  by  approbation  and  order  of  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  of  the  people  called  Quakers,  at  Chester,  in 
Chester  County,  Pennsylvania,  for  the  establishing  and  keeping 
up  of  the  good  order  of  Truth,"  &c. — (Camden  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

In  1830,  the  Monthly  Meetings  of  Duck  Creek  and  Mother- 
kiln  -were  united  in  one,  under  the  name  of  "  Camden  Monthly 
Meeting,"  and  thenceforward  held  alternate  at  Camden  and 
Little  Creek. 

D  U  C  K    C  R  E  E  K. 

1852. — The  Preparative  Meeting  at  this  place  was  laid  down 
in  1852,  and  its  members  joined  to  that  of  Little  Creek.  An 
Indulged  Meeting  for  -worship  was  still  allowed,  for  the  accom- 
modation of  Friends  in  and  near  to  Smyrna. 

APPOQUINIMINK    (FORMERLY    GEORGE'S  CREEK). 

1703. — "  Friends  of  George's  Creek  had  a  meeting  among 
them  at  times,  for  many  years,  before  1708," — (S.  Smith.) 

1703. — "  John  Ashton  being  present,  and  laying  before  this 
meeting  the  request  of  Friends  of  George's  Creek,  concerning 
settling  a  meeting  thereaway,  we  find  nothing  to  the  contrary 
but  it  may  be  convenient ;  therefore  refer  it  to  the  consideration 
of  the  Quarterly  Meeting." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1707. — The  meeting  at  George's  Creek  was  established  in 
1707.— (See  Camden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1762. — "  Several  of  the  Friends  nominated  to  visit  the  Pre- 
parative Meeting  of  George's  Creek,  report,  they  have  com- 
plied therewith  ;  and  likewise  some  Friends  visited  the  Monthly 
Meeting  at  Duck  Creek,  and  recommended  them  to  comply 
with  the  advice  heretofore  given  by  this  meeting,  with  respect 
to  visiting  the  Preparative  Meetings  belonging  thereto ;  which, 


SOUTHERN  QUARTER. 


113 


with  hopes  it  may  tend  to  some  advantage,  is  left  at  present." — 
(Western  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Women.) 

1772. — "The  Friends  appointed  to  visit  George's  Creek 
Preparative  Meeting,  &c.  It  is  their  sense  and  judgment,  that 
some  circumstances  which  appear,  do  render  them  incapable  of 
holding  a  Preparative  Meeting  to  reputation  ;  on  consideration 
of  which,  this  meeting  concurs  with  their  report.  Men  Friends 
having  discontinued  the  Preparative  Meeting  accordingly." — 
(Western  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Women.) 

1783. — "  We,  of  the  committee  to  take  into  consideration 
the  report  from  Duck  Creek  Monthly  Meeting,  for  the  removal 
of  George's  Creek  Meeting  to  a  place  near  Appoquinimink 
Bridge  for  trial,  have  attended  to  the  appointment,  and  agree  to 
report,  that  we  think  they  may  be  indulged  with  their  request, 
when  they  may  procure  a  place  for  holding  said  meeting,  &c. 
(Signed  by  nine  men  and  three  women.)  Which,  being  con- 
sidered, is  approved,  and  the  proposal  of  that  meeting  concur- 
red with." — (Western  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Women.) 

1830. — In  1830,  Appoquinimink  Preparative  Meeting  was 
united  to  that  of  Duck  Creek. 

CAMDEN. 

I  have  no  information  respecting  the  first  establishment  of  a 
meeting  at  this  place. 

LITTLE  CREEK. 

1710. — The  meeting  at  Little  Creek  appears  to  have  been 
settled  in  1810. — (See  Camden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

IV.— MOTHERKILL  MONTHLY  MEETINa  (FORMERLY  MURDER  KIL). 

1788. — "  The  committee  appointed,  &c.,  unite  in  believing 
that  it  may  be  profitable  for  a  division  (of  Duck  Creek  Monthly 
Meeting)  to  take  place,  agreeably  to  their  request.  Motherkill 

8 


114 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


and  Cool  Spring  Preparative  Meeting  to  constitute  a  Monthly 

Meeting,  to  be  held  at  Motherkill,  &c. 

"Elizabeth  Wickersham,  "Samuel  Hopkins, 
"MarySwayne,  "William  Lamborn, 

"  Hannah  Lindley,  "  Amos  Hollingsworth, 

"  Rebecca  Preston,  "  Daniel  Thobipson, 

"  William  Eddings,  "  Benjamin  Hough, 

"  John  Truman,  "  Humphrey  Marshall." 

"  Samuel  Wallace, 

"  Which  being  solidly  considered,  is  concurred  with  ;  and  John 
Parker,  Joseph  Preston,  William  Harvey,  Joshua  Pusey,  Hum- 
phrey Marshall,  Isaac  Coates,  and  Abraham  Gibbons,  to- 
gether with  Margaret  Marshall,  Hannah  Pusey,  Margaret  Cook, 
Frances  Hopkins,  Rebecca  Chambers,  and  Elizabeth  Brown,  are 
appointed  to  attend  at  the  opening  of  the  meeting  at  Mother- 
kill." — (Westei'n  Quarterly  Meeting,  Men's  and  Women's.) 

The  Monthly  Meeting  of  Motherkill  was  joined  to  that  of 
Duck  Creek  in  1830,  and  the  name  changed  to  Camden 
Monthly  Meeting  (which  see). 

A  Friend  writes :  "  The  name  of  said  Monthly  Meeting  I  find 
to  be  variously  spelled  on  the  Quarterly  Meeting  records  ; 
"which  would  be  of  very  little  importance,  if  they  did  not  con- 
vey ideas  essentially  different  from  each  other.  By  Avay  of 
explanation,  it  may  not  be  improper  to  state  that  Delaware 
having  been  settled  by  the  Swedes,  their  word  for  stream,  or 
creek,  was  in  many  instances  retained  with  an  English  prefix, — 
as  'Broad  kil ;'  and  that  a  bloody  battle  fought  by  the  Indians 
on  the  banks  of  one  of  those  streams,  gave  it  the  name  of 
Murderkil,  which  name  was  also  imparted  to  a  district  of 
Kent  County  lying  on  said  stream,  and  known  as  Murderkil 
Hundred,  where  the  Friends'  meeting-house  was  located  in 
which  the  meeting  under  consideration  was  held.  The  Friends, 
being  a  murder-hating,  peace-loving,  and  simple-minded  people, 
and  not  approving  of  the  word  murder,  adopted  in  lieu  thereof 
that  of  mother,  as  a  prefix  to  kil,  making  the  name  of  Motlierkil 


SOUTHERN  QUARTER. 


115 


for  their  meeting.  But  the  -word  Icil  is  often,  and  I  believe 
mostly,  spelled  kill,  ■which,  in  combination  -with  mother,  makes 
a  very  inappropriate  name  for  a  Friends'  meeting,  more  objec- 
tionable than  the  one  intended  to  be  softened  and  improved. 
It  is  sometimes  written  3Iotherkiln,  a  name  that  conveys  a  to- 
tally different  idea,  and  is  not  objectionable  in  itself." 

M  0  T  H  E  R  K  I  L  L  . 

1760. — "  Pursuant  to  appointment,  we  met  with  some  of  the 
Friends  of  Motherkill  and  Titberry,  at  the  place  proposed 
by  them  to  build  a  meeting-house  ;  and,  after  viewing  the 
place  had  an  opportunity  of  sitting  with  them,  and  some  con- 
versation on  the  occasion  ;  and  they  appearing  to  be  unanimous 
respecting  the  place,  and  satisfied  concerning  the  title,  we 
were  of  opinion  it  might  be  of  service  to  grant  their  request ; 
and  this  meeting  grants  their  request." — (Western  Quarterly 
Meeting.) 

In  1828  the  meeting  for  worship  at  Motherkill  was  discon- 
tinued, and  the  members  thereof  joined  to  that  of  Camden. 

COLD  SPRING. 

1720. — "  On  application  of  this  (Duck  Creek)  Monthly 
Meeting  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Chester,  Friends  of  Lewis- 
town  and  those  about  or  near  Cold  Spring  had  their  meeting 
for  worship  set  up  in  the  year  1720."' — (S.  Smith.) 

It  is  probable  that  a  meeting  had  been  held  at  Lewes  some 
time  before,  perhaps  since  1712. 

MILPORD  (mISPILLION,   FORMERLY  MUSHMELON). 

1760.  — "  Mushmelon  and  Cedar  Creek  Friends  request 
liberty  to  build  a  meeting-house." — (Western  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing-) 

1832. — This  year  Milford  Preparative  Meeting  was  discon- 


IIG 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


tinned,  and  the  members  thereof  united  to  Camden  Preparative ; 
and  the  following  year  the  meeting  for  worship  was  also  dropped. 

v.— NORTHWEST  FORK  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1800.— "At  a  Monthly  Meeting  held  at  Northwest  Fork 
Meeting-house,  the  16th  day  of  the  seventh  month,  1800,  by 
appointment  of  the  Southern  Quarterly  Meeting,  as  appears  by 
the  following  minutes : 

"  The  committee  on  the  proposition  of  establishing  a  Monthly 
Meeting  at  Northwest  Fork,  &c.,  were  united  in  believing  it 
would  tend  to  the  promotion  of  the  cause  of  truth  for  a  meeting 
to  be  held  there,  called  Northwest  Fork  Monthly  Meeting,  and 
composed  of  Center,  Northwest  Fork,  and  Marshy  Creek  Pre- 
parative Meetings ;  which  is  concurred  with,  and  William 
Dolby,  Nathaniel  Luff,  John  Bowers,  Tristram  Needles,  and 
Joseph  Turner,  appointed  to  attend  the  opening  of  said  meeting. 

"  Extracted  from  the  minutes, 

"Samuel  Troth, 
"  Clerkr 

(Northwest  Fork  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Since  the  year  1839,  the  Monthly  Meeting  has  alternated 
between  Northwest  Fork  and  Marshy  Creek  (now  Snow  Hill). 

SNOAV    hill   (formerly    MARSHY  CREEK). 

1727. — The  first  report  from  Max-shy  Creek  to  the  Monthly 
Meeting  of  Thirdhaven  was  in  1727.  In  1848  the  meeting 
was  removed  to  another  locality,  and  the  name  changed  to 
Snow  Hill. 

PINE    GROVE    (formerly    NORTHWEST  FORK). 

1708. — The  meeting  at  this  place  belonged  to  the  Society 
of  Nicholites  until  about  the  year  1798,  when  they  generally 
went  over  to  Friends,  carrying  their  property  with  them.  In 
1848  the  meeting  was  removed  to  another  district,  and  the 
name  changed  to  that  of  Pine  Grove. 


I 


HADDONFIELD  QUARTER. 


117 


CENTRE. 

IT'QS. — This,  too,  was  originally  a  Nicholite  Meeting,  and 
was  transferred  about  the  same  time  and  in  the  same  manner 
as  the  preceding  one. 

TUCKAIIOE  NECK. 

1798. — This,  like  the  two  preceding  meetings,  originally  be- 
longed to  the  Nicholites,  and  was  transferred  to  Friends  as 
they  Avere. 


CHAPTER  XL 

HADDONFIELD  QUARTER. 

1794. — "  By  a  minute  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Glouces- 
ter and  Salem,  it  appears  that  meeting  agreed  to  propose  to 
the  Yearly  Meeting  to  constitute  two  Quarterly  Meetings 
within  their  limits.  One  to  be  composed  of  the  Monthly  Meet- 
ings of  Evesham,  Haddonfield,  Great  Egg  Harbor,  and  Cape 
May,  to  be  distinguished  by  the  name  of  Haddonfield  Quar- 
terly Meeting,  to  be  held  at  Haddonfield  in  the  third  and 
ninth  months,  and  at  Evesham  in  the  sixth  and  twelfth 
months,"  &c.  &c.  "  Which  being  united  with  and  confirmed, 
a  committee  was  appointed,"  &c. — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  Quarterly  Meeting  appears  to  have  been  held  alternate 
at  the  two  places  mentioned,  until  the  year  1831,  when  it  began 
to  circulate  to  Haddonfield,  Moorestown,  Medford,  and  Eve- 
sham, as  at  present. 

I.— HADDONFIELD  MONTHLY  MEETING  (FORMERLY  GLOUCESTER). 

1695. — "  The  Monthly  Meeting  of  Gloucester,  from  the 
year  1G95,  was  held  alternate  at  Newton  and  the  house  of 


118 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


Thomas  Sh.ackles  (perhaps  near  to  Iladdonfield),  until  the 
twelfth  month,  1721,  ivhen  it  was  held  in  the  meeting-house  at 
Haddonficld,  which  was  built  in  the  forepart  of  that  year,  on 
ground  given  by  John  Estaugh,  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meetings." — (S.  Smith.) 

The  Monthly  Meeting  is  now  held  alternate  at  Haddonfield 
and  Camden. 

CAMDEN. 

1681.  — "At  a  Monthly  Meeting  at  the  house  of  Thomas 
Gardner,  in  Burlington,  the  5th  of  seventh  month,  1081,  it  is 
ordered  that  Friends  of  Pine  Point  have  a  meeting  on  every 
fourth  day,  and  to  begin  at  the  second  hour,  at  Richard  Ar- 
nold's house." — (Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1682.  — "  At  a  General  Meeting  held  at  Salem,  in  the  pro- 
vince of  West  New  Jersey,  the  11th  of  the  second  month,  1682, 
it  was  ordered  that  Friends  at  Arwamus  and  those  at  Shacka- 
maxon  do  meet  together  once  a  month.  .  .  .  The  first 
meeting  to  be  at  William  Cooper's,  at  Pine  Point,  at  Arwa- 
mus," &c. — (Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Although  the  meeting  at  Arwamus  had  for  many  years  ceased 
to  exist,  it  seems  natural  to  consider  the  present  Camden  Meet- 
ing as  the  phoenix  from  its  ashes.  Subsequent  to  the  division 
of  Society  in  1827,  Friends  belonging  to  Newtown  held  their 
meetings  at  Camden,  soon  after  which  time  the  meeting-house 
Avas  built,  on  land  given  for  the  purpose  by  Joseph  W.  Cooper. 

NEWTON,  OR  NEWTOWN. 

1682. — It  appears,  from  a  statement  recorded  by  the  junior 
member  of  the  company,  that  in  the  year  1682,  Mark  Newby, 
Thomas  Thackara,  William  Bates,  with  their  families,  and 
George  Goldsmith  and  Thomas  Sharp,  the  latter  a  young  man, 
settled  at  Newton,  where  they  were  joined  by  Robert  Zane. 
"And  immediately,"  says  Sharp,  "there  was  a  meeting  set  up 


HADDONFIELD  QUARTER. 


119 


and  kept  at  tlie  house  of  Mark  Newby,  and  in  a  short  time  it 
grew  and  increased." 

"The  meeting-house  was  built  on  hxnd  bought  of  Thomas 
Thackara,  in  1687."— (S.  Smith.) 

HADDONFIELD. 

1721. — Both  the  village  and  the  meeting  took  their  name 
from  the  well-known  Elizabeth  Haddon.  The  meeting-house 
was  erected  on  land  given  by  her  and  her  husband,  John  Es- 
taugh,  in  the  year  1721.  A  meeting  had  probably  been  held 
previous  to  that  date  at  Friends'  houses,  perhaps  at  Thomas 
Shackles. 

II.— EVESHAM  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1760. — "  The  introduction. — It  having  been  observed  by 
some  Friends  of  Evesham  and  Chester  Meetings,  the  great  in- 
crease of  a  hopeful  and  rising  generation  among  us^  and  the 
comfortable  increase  of  our  meetings  for  worship,  from  hence  a 
concern  arose  for  their  further  advancement  in  the  blessed 
Truth ;  and  having  by  experience  seen  the  need  and  use  of 
church  discipline,  and  the  necessity  of  waiting  for  Divine  aid 
in  the  management  thereof ;  and  observing  the  increase  and 
multiplicity  of  business  at  Haddonfield  Monthly  Meeting,  of 
which  we  are  members,  by  reason  whereof  our  affairs  could  not 
be  carried  on  with  that  improving  calmness  and  deliberation 
which  the  nature  of  the  service  required  ;  and  being  con- 
cerned that  generations  to  come  may  ask  and  seek  for  the  good 
old  way,  and  may  walk  therein  by  a  clear  illumination  of  mind 
and  simplicity  of  manners  ; — under  these  considerations  a  con- 
cern arose  to  request  that  Evesham  and  Chester  might  be  con- 
stituted to  hold  a  separate  Monthly  Meeting ;  which,  after 
several  years'  deliberation,  and  a  firm  persuasion  that  it  might 
be  for  general  service,  was  accordingly  done,  as  the  minutes  do 
set  forth." 

"  The  said  request  was  laid  before  the  Quarterly  Meeting 


120 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


held  at  Haddonfielcl,  third  month,  1759,  and  -was  kept  under  the 
consideration  tliereof  until  the  third  month,  17G0,  when  the 
said  request  was  granted." — (Evesham  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1760. — "Agreeably  to  the  direction  of  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing held  in  the  ninth  month  last.  Friends  of  Evesham  and 
Chester  held  their  Monthly  Meeting  at  Evesham,  on  the  9th  of 
tenth  month,  1760,  it  being  the  fifth  day  of  the  week  after  the 
first  second  day,  according  to  appointment ;  and  Thomas  Red- 
man, Josiah  Albertson,  Joshua  Stokes,  William  Wilkins,  and 
Joshua  Lord,  Sen.,  by  appointment  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting, 
with  several  other  Friends,  accompanied  us ;  which  said  meet- 
ing is  now  settled  under  the  same  regulations  as  other  Monthly 
Meetings." — (Evesham  Monthly  Meeting.) 

EVESHAM. 

1694. — "The  first  account  of  meetings  held  at  this  place 
is  of  one  held  at  the  house  of  William  Evans,  in  the  year  1694, 
which  was  probably  continued  till  the  building  of  the  meeting- 
house." "  The  meeting-house  at  Evesham  was  built  about  the 
year  1698,  and  meetings  for  worship  then  established  there." — 
(S.  Smith.) 

The  Preparative  Meeting  at  Evesham  was  established  at  the 
same  time  of  the  Monthly  Meeting,  in  1760. 

E  A  S  T  0  N  . 

1803. — "  Friends  who  live  within  thq  vicinity  of  Easton 
schoolhouse  request  that  two  meetings  in  a  month,  for  three 
months,  may  be  held  at  that  place,  &c. ;  which  claiming  J;he  con- 
sideration of  the  meeting,  was  granted." — (Evesham  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

The  meeting  was  continued  by  indulgence  till  1810,  when 
it  was  established,  with  the  privilege  of  a  Preparative  Meeting. 
The  Preparative  Meeting  was  discontinued  in  1827.  And  in 
the  present  year  (1859),  "  Friends  were  united  in  believing  that 


IIADDONFIELD  QUARTER.  121 

there  was  such  a  small  number  of  Friends  there  that  it  would 
be  best  to  discontinue  the  meeting  for  worship  at  that  place ;" 
which  was  accordingly  done. — (See  Evesham  Monthly  Meeting 
Records.) 

III.— MEDFORD  MONTHLY  MEETING  (FORMERLY  UPPER  EVESHAM). 

1793. — "  We,  the  committee  to  take  into  consideration  the 
subject  of  the  proposed  division  of  this  meeting,  &c.,  report : 
That  we  have  generally  united  in  proposing  that  Friends  con- 
stituting the  meeting  held  at  Cropwell  unite  with  those  of  Upper 
Evesham,  in  holding  a  Preparative  and  Monthly  Meeting  at 
said  house,  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  Upper  Evesham 
Monthly  Meeting  ;  to  be  held,"  &c. — (Evesham  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1850. — "Haddonfield  Quarter  reports  that  Medford  Monthly 
Meeting  have  changed  the  title  of  their  meeting  from  Upper 
Evesham  to  Medford." — (Yearly  Meeting  Extracts.) 

MEDFORD    (formerly    UPPER  EVESHAJl). 

1760. — "  Friends  from  the  Preparative  Meeting  at  Evesham 
request  that  a  meeting  for  worship  might  be  held  at  the 
school-house  near  Robert  Braddock's,  on  the  first  first-day  and 
on  the  second  sixth-day  in  each  month;  which  Avas  granted," 
&c. — (Evesham  Monthly  Meeting.) 

This  meeting  was  continued  by  indulgence  for  many  years  ; 
but  in 

1774,  "  the  Friends  belonKinfj  to  the  school-house  meeting; 
requested  some  advice  and  assistance  with  respect  to  building 
or  enlarging  their  meeting-place ;  therefore,  Thomas  Evans, 
Thomas  Wilkins,  William  Forster,  William  Rogers,  or  any 
other  Friends  that  are  free  to  attend,  are  appointed  to  go  and 
sit  with  them,  and  give  them  what  advice  and  assistance  they 
find  needful." — (Evesham  Monthly  Meeting.) 


122 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


The  meeting-place  was  enlarged  in  the  following  year,  and 
obtained  the  name  of  "Upper  Evesham."  In  1783,  the  meet- 
ing Avas  established  with  a  Preparative  Meeting. 

CBOPWELL. 

1786. — "A  request,  by  direction  of  the  Preparative  Meeting 
of  Evesham,  in  favor  of  holding  a  meeting  for  worship  in  a 
schoolhouse,  lately  erected  near  Cropwell  Creek,  signed  by  the 
principal  part  of  men  and  women  Friends  that  are  likely  to 
constitute  the  same,  being  produced,  and  several  times  read, 
the  meeting  unites  in  deferring  the  further  consideration  thereof 
to  next  meeting." 

It  is  probable  that  some  members  of  the  Monthly  Meeting 
of  Haddonfield  were  united  in  the  request,  as  it  was  finally 
granted,  on  the  favorable  report  of  a  joint  committee  of  the 
two  Monthly  Meetings. 

It  does  not  appear  that  the  meeting  has  been  kept  up  by 
Friends  since  about  the  year  1827. 

IV.— CHESTER  MONTHLY  MEETING,  AT  MOORESTOWN. 

1803. — "  The  Preparative  Meeting  of  Westfield  propose,  for 
consideration,  whether  there  would  not  an  advantage  arise  from 
a  division  of  this  Monthly  Meeting ;  which,  on  deliberation,  is 
referred  to  the  consideration  of  next  meeting." 

1803. — "  The  report  of  the  committee,  relative  to  a  division 
of  this  Monthly  Meeting,  being  again  read  and  considered,  was 
approved,  and  the  substance  thereof  directed  to  be  forwarded 
in  the  report  to  our  next  Quarterly  Meeting,  viz.,  that  the 
Preparative  Meetings  of  Chester  and  Westfield  unite  in  holding 
a  Monthly  Meeting  at  Chester,  on  the  third  day  of  the  week 
following  the  second  second  day  in  each  month,  &c.,  to  be 
known  by  the  name  of  '  Chester  Monthly  Meeting.'  " 

"  The  minute  of  our  last  Quarterly  Meeting  was  read,  setting 
forth  that  meeting's  concurrence  therewith  ;  and  the  Monthly 
Meeting  of  Chester  is  thereby  established  and  confirmed,  agree- 


HADDONFIELD  QUARTER. 


123 


ably  to  the  proposition  in  our  report  to  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing."— (Evesham  Monthly  Meeting.) 

MOORESTOWN    (FORMERLY    CALLED  CHESTER). 

1721, — Samuel  Smith  says,  the  meeting-house  at  Chester 
was  built  and  the  meeting  settled  there  in  1721.  But  the 
Chesterfield  records  mention  assisting  Chester  Friends  to  re- 
build their  meeting-house,  which  had  been  burned  in  that  year. 
The  meeting  had  probably  existed  prior  to  that  date. 

The  Preparative  Meeting  of  Chester  was  granted  to  be  held 
in  1760. 

In  1803,  Evesham  Monthly  Meeting  reported : — 

"One  new  meeting-house  erected  for  the  accommodation  of 
Chester  Particular  Meeting,  in  lieu  and  near  the  place  of  the 
old  one." — (Evesham  Monthly  Meeting.) 

WESTEIELD. 

1794. — "  A  proposition  Avas  made,  from  the  Preparative 
Meeting  of  Chester,  to  hold  meetings  for  worship  at  Friends' 
lower  schoolhouse,  within  the  limits  of  said  meeting  ;  not  only 
to  accommodate  divers  members,  living  somewhat  remote  from 
said  Preparative  Meeting,  but  those  of  other  professions,  living 
contiguous  thereto ;  which,  being  attended  to  with  a  good  de- 
gree of  solid  weight,  there  appeared  a  general  concurrence  with 
holding  one  at  the  place  proposed  next  first  day,  at  the  eleventh 
hour.  And  John  Collins  (and  others)  were  appointed  to  the 
oversight  thereof,  and  report  to  next  meeting." — (Evesham 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  meeting  at  Westfield  was  continued,  from  time  to  time, 
under  the  care  of  the  Monthly  Meeting,  up  to  the  year  1801, 
when  a  meeting-house  was  erected,  and  the  meeting  established, 
with  liberty  to  hold  a  Preparative  Meeting. 

The  meeting-house  was  accidentally  burned  in  the  present 
year  (1859),  and  is  now  rebuilt. 


124 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

CALN  QUARTER. 

1800. — "  The  proposals  from  Philadelphia,  Chester,  and  the 
Western  Quarters,  relative  to  the  establishment  of  a  Quarterly 
Meeting  at  East  Cain,  to  be  denominated  East  Cain  Quarterly 
Meeting,  composed  of  Bradford,  Sadsbury,  Uwchlan,  and 
Robeson  Monthly  Meetings,  being  now  deliberately  considered, 
and  a  concurrence  therewith  expressed,  it  is  concluded  that  the 
said  meeting  be  opened  on  the  14th  day  of  the  eighth  month, 
1800."— (Yearly  Meeting.) 

Cain  Quarterly  Meeting  was  composed  of  parts  of  the  three 
quarters  above  named,  who  all  united  in  the  application.  Brad- 
ford and  Sadsbury  belonged  to  the  Western,  Uwchlan  to  Con- 
cord, and  Robeson  to  Philadelphia  Quarter. 

I.— BRADFORD  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1737. — "  This  meeting,  after  due  consideration,  do  grant  and 
allow  to  Friends  of  Bradford  and  Cain  Particular  Meetings, 
liberty  of  keeping  and  holding  a  Monthly  Meeting  for  disci- 
pline and  church  affairs,  and  to  be  called  and  known  by  the 
name  of  Bradford  Monthly  Meeting." — (Chester  Quarterly 
Meeting.) 

1846. — "  Bradford  Preparative  Meeting  requests  the  Monthly 
Meeting  be  held  alternately  at  Romansville  and  Cain  ;  to  be 
held  at  Romansville  on  the  even  months,  and  to  commence  next 
month  (tenth):  with  Avhich  this  meeting  unites." — (Bradford 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

E  A  S  T    C  A  L  N. 

1716.—"  In  1716,  the  Friends  of  Cain  Township,  with  the 
allowance  of  Concord  Monthly  Meeting  and  Chester  Quarterly, 


CALN  QUARTER. 


125 


had  a  meeting  of  worship  settled  among  them,  and  about  that 
time  built  the  meeting-house." — (S.  Smith.) 

1716. — "  This  meeting,  pursuant  to  the  advice  of  the  last 
Quarterly  Meeting,  doth  settle  a  Preparatory  Meeting  at  Cain, 
in  the  valley,  and  to  be  kept  on  the  first  day  before  the 
Monthly  Meeting,"  &c.— (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

BRADFORD. 

The  older  Monthly  Meeting  records  often  contain  much  good 
penmanship  and  correct  diction,  according  to  the  forms  of 
speech  then  used.  But  there  are  exceptions,  where  the  true 
meaning  is  obscure,  as  will  appear  from  a  few  instances  under 
this  head. 

1716,  eighth  month. — "  Kennet  Pi-eparative  Meeting  moved 
here  for  a  meeting  to  be  settled  in  the  Forks  of  Brandywine 
twice  every  Aveek,  for  this  winter  season,  which  this  meeting 
leaves  till  the  next  Monthly  Meeting  for  a  further  considera- 
tion."— (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1716,  ninth  month. — "  The  motion  from  Kennet  Preparative 
Meeting  to  the  last  Monthly  Meeting,  concerning  the  Friends 
living  up  Brandywine  keeping  meetings  for  this  winter  time  in 
the  forks  of  the  said  creek,  near  William  Marshall's,  is  ordered 
to  be  laid  before  the  Quarterly  Meeting." — (Kennet  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1716,  tenth  month. — "The  request  of  the  Friends  in  the 
Forks  of  Bi-andywine  is  not  approved  by  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing for  the  present." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1722,  second  month. — "The  Friends  within  the  Forks  of 
Brandywine  made  application  to  the  Prepai'ative  Meeting  of 
Kennet  for  a  meeting  once  in  two  weeks,  which  case  was  re- 
ferred to  this  meeting  for  further  consideration,  and  every  fifth 
day  in  the  week,  except  Preparative  Meeting  week." — (Kennet 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1722,  fourth  month. — "  The  request  of  the  Friends  in  the 
Forks  of  Brandywine,  after  consideration  in  this  meeting,  re- 


126 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


ferrcd  it  to  the  consideration  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  which 
was  granted  to  be  hekl  the  year  about  (the  Avhole  year),  as 
formerly  allowed  in  the  winter  season." — (Kennet  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1722, — "  Abraham  Marshall,  Peter  Collins,  Jeremiah  Dean, 
and  several  other  Friends,  being  settled  in  and  near  the  Forks 
of  Brandywine,  belonged  to  Kennet  Meeting  till  the  year  1722, 
when  they  requested  a  meeting  to  be  settled  among  them,  which 
was  alloAved,  and  held  in  a  house  belonging  to  Abraham  Mar- 
shall, till  about  the  year  1727,  when  a  piece  of  ground  was 
pui'chased  and  a  meeting-house  built." — (S.  Smith.) 

1726. — "  Friends  belonging  to  the  Forks  First  Day  Meeting 
require  a  Preparative  Meeting,  which  was  laid  before  this 
meeting  for  consideration,  and  is  granted." — (Kennet  Monthly 
Meeting,) 

WEST    c  A  L  N. 

1756. — "  The  Friends  appointed  to  visit  West  Cain  Meeting 
report,  that  they  met  most  of  the  members,  and  are  of  opinion 
that  they  may  have  leave  to  hold  a  meeting  for  worship,  as 
heretofore  ;  with  which  this  concurs,  and  do  establish  said  meet- 
ing by  the  name  of  West  Cain  Meeting." — (Chester  Quarterly 
Meeting.) 

D  0  W  N  I  N  G  T  0  W  N. 

1811. — "  The  proposal  from  Uwchlan  Monthly  Meeting  for 
establishing  a  Preparative  Meeting  at  Downingtown,  claiming 
the  consideration  of  this  meeting,  is  united  with,"  &c. 

"  Transcribed  from  the  minutes  of  Cain  Quarterly  Meeting, 
held  the  14th  of  second  month,  1811. 

"James  Cooper, 

"  Qlerlcr 
(Uwchlan  Monthly  Meeting.) 

CAM  BRIDGE. 

1825. — "  The  committee,  on  the  request  of  Isaac  Haines  and 
Jacob  Haines,  inform  that  Bradford  Monthly  Meeting  has 


CALN  QUARTER. 


127 


granted  an  Indulged  Meeting  to  continue  one  year,  -which 
meeting  they  all  attended  except  one ;  and  having  a  satisfac- 
tory conference  with  said  families,  report  as  their  sense,  that 
they  be  left  at  liberty  to  meet  with  said  Indulged  Meeting  on 
the  first  and  fifth  days  of  the  week ;  with  which  this  meeting 
unites." — (Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1852. — "  The  meeting  for  worship  at  Cambridge  is  discon- 
tinued."— (Yearly  Meeting  Extracts.) 

ROMANSVILLE. 

The  meeting  at  Romansville  was  first  set  up  by  the  indul- 
gence of  Bradford  Monthly  Meeting,  in  the  year  .  In 

1846  the  Monthly  Meeting  began  to  be  held  there  in  alternate 
months. 

II.— SADSBURY  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1737. — "As  Friends  increased,  and  spread  themselves  back 
in  the  uncultivated  woods,  it  became  necessary  to  have  meet- 
ings settled  at  suitable  places  for  worshipping  the  Divine  Being; 
and,  in  process  of  time,  the  meetings  of  Sadsbury  and  Leacock 
were  settled  for  that  service, — the  respective  members  thereof 
being  a  branch  of  New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting ;  and  as  they 
increased,  this  difficulty  of  attending  their  Monthly  Meeting 
likewise  increased ;  and,  judging  themselves  in  a  capacity  to 
hold  a  Monthly  Meeting,  made  a  request  to  their  said  Monthly 
Meeting,  held  at  New  Garden,  the  24th  day  of  the  seventh 
month,  in  the  year  1737,  to  have  a  Monthly  Meeting  settled 
among  them.  Which  said  meeting  took  it  into  consideration, 
and,  at  their  next  Monthly  Meeting,  sent  the  request  to  the 
ensuing  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  at  Concord  the  14th  day  of  the 
ninth  month,  for  their  approbation ;  which  meeting,  after  con- 
sideration thereof,  allowed  the  said  Friends,  members  of  Sads- 
bury and  Leacock  Particular  Meetings,  liberty  of  holding  a 
Monthly  Meeting  on  the  first  second-day  of  the  week  in  every 
month  until  further  orders,  and  to  be  called  by  the  name  of 
Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting.   ...   In  consequence  whereof, 


128 


SETTLEMENT  OP  MEETINGS. 


the  Silid  Friends  of  Sadsbury  and  Leacock  Particular  Meetings 
met  at  their  nieeting-housc  at  Sadsbury,  in  the  county  of  Lan- 
caster, in  the  twelfth  month  foliowing,  and  held  their  first 
Monthly  Meeting."— (Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  Monthly  Meeting  Avas  held  alternately  at  Sadsbury  and 
Leacock,  until  1751,  when  the  raeeting-house  and  meeting  were 
removed  from  Leacock  to  Lampeter,  and  the  name  of  the  meet- 
ing changed.  Thenceforward  the  Monthly  Meeting  was  held 
alternately  at  Sadsbury  and  Lampeter  till  1840  ;  from  which 
time  it  circulated  at  the  three  places  until  1854,  when  it  was 
withdrawn  from.  Lampeter,  and  held  alternately  at  Sadsbury 
and  Bart.  Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting  was  a  branch  of  Chester 
Quarter  up  to  1758.  When  the  Western  Quarterly  Meeting 
was  established  it  became  a  branch  thereof,  and  so  remained 
till  the  establishment  of  Cain  Quarter  in  the  year  1800. 

SADSBURY. 

1724. — "In  the  year  1724,  Samuel  Miller  and  Andrew 
Moore  made  application,  on  behalf  of  themselves  and  their 
friends  settled  about  Sadsbury,  for  liberty  to  build  a  meeting- 
house, which  being  granted  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  they 
built  one  in  1725,  which  goes  by  the  name  of  Sadsbury  Meet- 
ing."—(S.  Smith.) 

COLUMBIA  (f  0  Ft  M  E  R  L  Y  II  E  M  P  F  I  E  L  d). 

1728. — In  the  year  1728,  Robert  Barber,  Samuel  Blunston 
and  John  Wright,  together  with  their  families,  removed  from 
Chester,  and  settled  at  Columbia,  where  they  had  purchased 
one  thousand  acres  of  land.  They  no  doubt  held  meetings  for 
worship  at  their  houses  at  this  early  date.  A  meeting-house 
of  squared  logs  appears  to  have  been  built  very  early. 

Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting  has  a  long  series  of  minutes 
about  "  Hempfield  Friends,"  "  Hcmpfield  Meeting,"  &c.,  which 
must  have  been  the  one  now  called  Columbia.  The  earliest 
notice  which  I  have  seen  of  Hempfield,  is  the  following : — 


CALN  QUARTER. 


129 


1754. — "  Thomas  Minshall  requests  to  come  under  the  care 
of  Friends.  Peter  Worrall  and  Isaac  Whitelock,  are  appointed 
to  desire  him  to  attend  our  next  meeting ;  also  to  let  Hempfield 
Friends  know  that  we  expect  them  to  come  under  our  care." — 
(Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Those  Friends  appear  to  have  held  meetings  in  their  own 
way,  but  refused  subordination  to  any  other.  'After  labor  by 
the  Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meetings  "  they  refused  to  request 
any  privilege,  but  thought  they  would  hold  meetings  as  they 
had  done  formerly."    But  at  length, 

1758. — "A  copy  of  a  minute  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting  was 
produced  here,  concerning  Hempfield  Friends,  permitting  them 
to  hold  meetings  for  worship  on  first-days,  at  their  meeting- 
house ;  and  to  be  a  branch  of  Lampeter  Preparative  and  Sads- 
bury Monthly  Meeting,  therefore  .  .  .  are  appointed  to  give 
them  a  copy  thereof,  and  inform  them  how  they  stand."  Who 
"  report  they  are  not  willing  to  be  accountable  to  any  meeting, 
except  the  widow  Barber." 

1761. — "  The  Friends  appointed  on  a  visit  to  Hempfield 
Friends,  report : — They  say  they  are  resolved  to  hold  meetings, 
and  are  all  of  one  family,  and  cannot  report." 

During  the  many  years  of  this  laborious  concern,  numbers  of 
the  more  obstinate  were  disowned  for  various  ofiences,  up  to 
about  the  year  1773.    My  notes  do  not  extend  further,  until  in 

1799. — "  From  Lampeter  report  it  appears,  that  application 
is  made  to  this  meeting  in  writing,  by  Friends  of  Hempfield, 
requesting  the  privilege  of  holding  an  Indulged  Meeting  on 
first  and  week  days  at  Columbia." 

"Which,  after  a  communication  of  sentiments,  is  agreed  to 
by  the  meeting,  and  .  .  .  are  appointed  in  conjunction  with 
women  Friends,  to  attend  at  the  opening  thereof,"  &c. — (Sads- 
bury Monthly  Meeting.) 

9 


130 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


Three  years  after  this  request  of  Hempfield  Friends  to  have 
an  Indulged  Meeting  at  Columbia,  another  minute  notes  "  the 
Indulged  Meeting  of  Hempfield."  They  were  undoubtedly  one 
and  the  same ;  Columbia  is  in  Hempfield  Township. 

In  1810,  the  meeting  at  Columbia  was  established  by  Cain 
Quarter,  and  in  1812  they  were  allowed  the  privilege  of  a 
Preparative  Meeting. 

L  E  A  C  0  C  K. 

Hattell  Varman,  William  Evans,  and  several  other  Friends 
having  settled  in  Leacock, 

1729. — "  Sadsbury  Preparative  Meeting  requested  on  behalf 
of  Friends  who  live  beyond  Pequea,  to  have  a  meeting  at  the 
house  of  Hattell  Varman  every  sixth-day  of  the  weeks;  which 
this  meeting  allows." — (New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

In  1732  Leacock  Meeting  was  established,  by  the  consent  of 
Chester  Quarter,  and  the  following  year  allowed  to  hold  a 
Preparative  Meeting,  which,  like  the  foregoing,  was  a  branch  of 
New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting  until  1737,  when  they  were 
erected  into  a  Monthly  Meeting. 

1748. — "  The  affair  of  moving  Leacock  Meeting-house  coming 
under  consideration,  it  is  concluded  to  lay  it  before  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  for  their  approbation." 

1751. — "Leacock  Friends  having  moved  their  meeting,  ac- 
cording to  the  liberty  formerly  allowed  them,  so  our  next 
Monthly  Meeting  is  to  be  held  at  Lampeter,  where  their 
meeting-house  is  now  fixed." — (Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting.) 

LAMPETER. 

The  early  history  of  this  meeting  is  to  be  found  in  that  of 
the  preceding  one,  being  merely  a  continuation  thereof,  under 
another  name. 

1851. — "A  minute  was  received  from  Lampeter  Preparative 


CALN  QUARTER. 


131 


Meeting,  requesting  the  Monthly  Meeting  to  lay  that  meeting 
down,  and  unite  its  members  to  Sadsbury  Preparative  Meeting  ; 
which  request  was  granted  by  this  meeting." — (Sadsbury 
Monthly  Meeting.)' 

LANCASTER. 

The  meeting  at  Lancaster  was  established,  by  the  consent  of 
Chester  Quarter,  in  1755.  In  17G6,  the  Yearly  Meeting  re- 
commended its  subordinate  branches  to  raise  money  "  to  enable 
Lancaster  Friends  to  finish  their  meeting-house." 

1779.  — "  This  meeting  agrees  to  request  the  advice  of  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  respecting  the  waste  condition  of  the  meet- 
ing-house and  graveyard  at  Lancaster." 

1780.  — "  Our  Quarterly  Meeting,  some  time  past,  appointed 
a  committee  to  view  the  meeting-house  at  Lancaster,  who  made 
report  that,  according  to  their  sense,  it  would  be  best  to  shut  up 
the  large  house,  repair  the  small  apartment,  and  fence  up  the 
burying-ground ;  which  the  meeting  concurred  with,  and  ap- 
pointed," &c. 

1784. — "As  report  is  made  that  week-day  meetings  are 
weakly  attended  at  Lancaster,  this  meeting  more  closely  en- 
joins it  on  the  committee,  before  appointed  on  that  account, 
to  take  the  case  strictly  under  their  notice." — (Sadsbury 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1788. — "  On  consideration  of  the  subject  committed  to  us, 
respecting  the  repairs  proposed  to  be  done  to  Friends'  Meeting- 
house in  the  borough  of  Lancaster,  it  is  agreed  to  recommend 
that,  for  maintaining  the  reputation  of  Society,  there  be  ap- 
plied out  of  the  general  stock  the  sum  of  one  hundred  pounds, 
to  assist  the  Western  Quarterly  Meeting  in  repairing  the  said 
meeting-house  as,  or  nearly  as,  proposed  by  the  united  com- 
mittee of  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  and  the  Western  Quarter, 
in  their  report  of  the  11th  of  fourth  month  last  to  the  Meeting 
for  Sufferings ;  which  we  submit  to  the  Yearly  Meeting." 
(Signed  by  twenty-one  Friends.) — (Yearly  Meeting  Extract.) 

1798. — "The  case  of  Lancaster  Meeting,  by  Lampeter's  re- 


132 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


port,  coming  under  consideration,  from  the  number  of  Friends 
that  have  or  are  about  to  remove  therefrom,  this  meeting  ap- 
points ....  in  conjunction  with  women  Friends,  to  have  the 
care  and  oversight  thereof." 

1802. — "  The  committee  appointed,  &c.,  unitedly  agree  to 
report,  that  most  of  our  number  have  attended  there  since  last 
Monthly  Meeting,  and  divei-s  of  us  at  several  times  before  ;  and 
after  weightily  and  solidly  considering  the  subject,  are  of  the 
mind  that  it  would  be  right  to  acquaint  the  Quartei'ly  Meeting 
therewith,  as  we  feel  a  tenderness  in  expressing  that  it  is  our 
sense  that  it  would  be  seasonable  to  discontinue  that  meeting. 
Signed,"  &c. — (Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1802.— "At  Cain  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  13th  of  fifth 
month,  1802,  the  following  report  of  the  committee  relative  to 
Lancaster  Meeting,  being  read  and  deliberatively  considered,  is 
united  with,  viz. :  The  committee  appointed  to  take  into  con- 
sideration the  state  of  Lancaster  Meeting,  as  represented  in 
the  report  from  Sadsbury,  having  met  and  attended  said  meet- 
ing, and  after  conferring  with  what  members  were  present,  and 
taking  circumstances  relative  thereto  into  consideration,  unani- 
mously agree  to  report,  as  our  sense,  that  it  will  be  best  to 
discontinue  said  meeting,  and  unite  the  members  thereof  to 
Lampeter ;  which  we  submit  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting.  Signed," 
&c. — (Cain  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

1802. — "  This  meeting  received  the  foregoing  minute  of  the 

Quartei'ly  Meeting,  which  is  united  with  and  are 

appointed  to  sit  with  Friends  in  their  meeting  at  Lancaster,  on 
next  sixth-day,  and  inform  them  of  the  result  of  the  Quarterly 
Meeting;  from  that  time  that  meeting  to  be  discontinued." — 
(Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  decline  of  the  meeting  at  Lancaster,  as  in  many  other 
places,  did  not  indicate  a  decline  of  the  Society,  but  was  owing 
to  the  removal  of  its  members. 

The  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  in  a  minute  of  advice,  subse- 
quently issued,  observes : — 


CALN  QUARTER. 


133 


"  As  the  estate  was  originally  obtained  for  the  use  and  benefit 
of  such  of  our  religious  Society  as  should  reside  in  the  borough 
of  Lancaster,  it  appears  incumbent  to  recommend  that  the  said 
Monthly  Meeting  (Sadsbury)  do  always  exercise  a  becoming 
religious  care  that  the  whole  of  the  premises  be  kept  in  decent 
order ;  and  that  the  internal  arrangement  of  the  house  be  so 
constructed  or  adapted  to  be  suitable  for  the  members  of  our 
Society  to  hold  religious  meetings  in,  whenever  there  may  be 
an  opening  therefor;"  and,  "that  Friends  there  may  always 
maintain  a  diligent  care  and  concern,  that  the  property  be  pre- 
served in  good  order,  and  that  the  uses  to  which  it  may  be 
applied  be  always  such  as  to  comport  with  our  religious  profes- 
sion and  principles." — (See  Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Since  1827,  "  Orthodox  Friends"  have  assumed  the  entire 
charge  of  this  property ;  and  a  correspondent  writes,  "  How 
far  the  above  recommendation  has  been  complied  with,  may  be 
inferred  from  the  fact,  that,  a  few  years  since,  the  Lancaster 
property  was  disposed  of  to  the  fraternity  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
a  fantastic-looking  structure  may  now  be  seen,  dedicated  to 
midnight  orgies,  on  the  spot  where  Friends  once  reverently 
met  to  worship  the  Father  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  Alas,  how 
sad  to  contemplate  !" 

EAST  SADSBURY. 

In  1810,  Friends  of  East  Sadsbury  requested  liberty  of  aft 
Indulged  Meeting,  to  be  held  in  a  school-house  near  the  turn- 
pike, which  was  granted ;  but  they  not  providing  suitable  ac- 
commodations, the  Monthly  Meeting  thought  proper  to  with- 
draw it  in  1813.  In  1819,  the  same  Friends  renewed  their 
request  for  an  Indulged  Meeting  in  Joseph  Cooper's  school- 
house,  which  was  allowed. 

1820. — "  Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting  now  offers,  for  our 
consideration,  a  proposal  for  the  establishment  of  a  meeting  for 
religious  worship,  to  be  held  in  Sadsbury  Township,  on,  &c.,  to 
be  called  'East  Sadsbury    which,  being  deliberately  considered, 


134 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


is  united  with,  and  the  meeting  established." — (Cain  Quarterly 
Meeting.) 

1858. — "The  committee,  in  the  case  of  East  Sadsbury  Meet- 
ing, report,  that  a  part  of  their  number  had  a  conference  with 
the  Friends  of  that  meeting,  and  were  united  in  the  belief  that 
it  would  be  right  to  grant  their  request  (that  their  meeting  be 
laid  down,  and  the  members  joined  to  Sadsbury  Meeting),  which 
is  satisfactory  to  this  meeting.  East  Sadsbury  Meeting  is 
therefore  laid  down,"  &c. — (Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting.) 

BART. 

1820. — "  We,  the  committee  appointed  on  the  application 
of  a  number  of  members  of  Sadsbury  Particular  Meeting,  re- 
questing the  privilege  of  holding  a  meeting  in  the  school-house 
belonging  to  Jeremiah  Cooper,  having  deliberately  attended  to 
the  subject,  unite  in  proposing  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  to  grant 
their  request,"  &c. ;  which,  having  been  read  and  considered, 
was  adopted,  women  Friends  uniting  therewith.  The  fol- 
lowing Friends  are  appointed  to  attend  at  the  opening,  viz. : 
Azahel  Walker,  Thomas  Whitson,  Samuel  Gibbons,  and  John 
Kendall."— (Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1825. — "A  transcript  of  a  minute  now  received  from  our 
late  Quarterly  Meeting  is  as  follows  : — 

"  '  Dear  Friends :  The  committee  on  the  subject  sent  up  on 
your  report,  respecting  the  establishment  of  Bart  Meeting,  in- 
form they  all  attended  said  meeting ;  and  they  were  easy  that 
the  request  of  Friends  constituting  it,  should  be  granted.  This 
meeting,  on  due  deliberation,  united  in  the  establishment 
thereof.  Extracted  from  the  minutes  of  Cain  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing, held  17th  of  second  month,  1825. 

"  '  Jesse  Meredith, 

"  '  Olerh:  " 
(Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1840. — "  The  following  minute  was  received  from  Cain 
Quarterly  Meeting : — 

"  '  Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting  informs  that  the  members  of 
Bart  Meeting  have  applied  for  the  privilege  of  holding  a  Pre- 


CALN  QUARTER. 


135 


parative  Meeting,  to  be  held,  &c.,  and  to  be  called  Bart  Pre- 
parative Meeting,  with  which  the  Monthly  Meeting  united ; 
and  being  considered  in  this  meeting,  was  also  united  with. 
Said  meeting  to  be  opened,  &c. 
"  '  Taken  from  the  minutes,  &o. 

"  '  LiNDLBT  COATES, 

"  'Clerk:  " 


III.— UWCHLAN  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1763.—"  On  the  5th  day  of  the  first  month,  1768,  men  and 
women  Friends  belonging  to  Uwchlan,  Nantraeal,  and  Pikeland 
Particular  Meetings,  being  assembled  at  Uwchlan  meeting- 
house, agreeably  with  the  intention  of  the  following  mentioned 
conclusion,  viz. : — 

"  The  Monthly  Meeting  of  Goshen,  consisting  of  the  Particu- 
lar Meetings  of  Goshen,  Newtown,  Uwchlan,  Nantmeal,  and 
Pikeland,  taking  into  consideration  the  large  extent  thereof, 
and  the  numerous  appearance  of  Friends  belonging  thereto, 
with  the  inconvenience  that  many  undergo  in  attending  the 
same,  and  the  multiplicity  of  business  abounding  beyond  what 
can  be  deliberately  considered  and  expedited  in  one  day,  it  was 
thought  necessary  to  have  the  said  Monthly  Meeting  divided 
into  two  such  meetings.  And  accordingly  a  motion  was  made 
to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  held  at  Concord,  and  after  deliberate 
consideration  from  time  to  time,  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  in  the 
eleventh  month  last,  did  approve  of  the  proposal  of  dividing 
as  may  best  answer  the  service.  And  therefore  it  was  con- 
cluded, at  the  last  Monthly  Meeting  at  Goshen,  that  the  par- 
ticular Meetings  of  Uwchlan,  Nantmeal,  and  Pikeland  do 
henceforth  constitute  one  Monthly  Meeting,  of  men  and  women 
Friends,  to  be  known  and  called  by  the  name  of  Uwchlan 
Monthly  Meeting,  and  to  be  held  in  Friends'  meeting-house 
there,  on  the  fourth  day  of  the  week,  next  after  the  first  second- 
day  in  each  month,  till  further  order ;  and,  in  pursuance 
thereof,  is  now  held  in  the  said  meeting-house  in  the  township 


136 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


of  Uwchlan,  in  Chester  County,"  &c. — (Uwclilan  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

UWCHLAN. 

1720. — The  Meeting  of  Uwchlan  was  established  by  Chester 
Monthly  Meeting  in  the  year  1720. 

N  A  N  T  M  E  A  L. 

1750. — The  Meeting  in  Nantmeal  was  set  up  by  the  same 
authority  as  the  preceding. 

A  Preparative  Meeting  was  established  here  in  1781. — (See 
Chester  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

KIMBERTON    (FORMERLY  PIKELAND). 

1857. — Cain  informs  that  Pikeland  Preparative  and  Mid- 
week Meetings  have  been  discontinued,  and  the  members  at- 
tached to  Uwchlan  Preparative  Meeting. — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

IV.— ROBESON  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

Record  not  obtained. 

ROBESON. 


1741. — The  Monthly  Meeting  of  Exeter  granted  the  Friends 
at  Robeson  the  privilege  of  holding  a  Preparative  Meeting,  in 
the  year  1741.— (See  Exeter  Monthly  Meeting.) 


FISUIXG     (  RKEK 
HALF  YKAR  Mi;ET[X(r 


SC'AIiE:  5  imlt's  per  inch 


FISHING  CREEK  nALF-YEAK  MEETING. 


137 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

FISHING  CREEK  HALF-YEAR  MEETING. 

1838. — "We  propose  to  the  consideration  of  Muncy  Friends 
the  establishment  of  a  Half-Year  Meeting,  to  be  held  at  Fish- 
ing Creek  ;  and  to  be  composed  of  Friends  of  that  meeting  and 
Roaring  Creek,"  &c. — (Roaring  Creek  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  subject  having  claimed  the  attention  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  through  a  committee,  they  reported  : 

1834. — "That  most  of  their  number  have  attended  said 
Monthly  Meetings,  and  some  of  them  have  visited  all  the  par- 
ticular Meetings  constituting  them,  since  last  year.  On  delibe- 
rate consideration,  and  with  feelings  of  tenderness  towards 
Friends  of  those  meetings,  we  unite  in  proposing  that  their 
request  be  granted,  and  the  said  Half-Year  Meeting  established; 
at  present  under  the  care  of  a  committee  of  the  Yearly  Meet- 
ing, and  that  it  be  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  Fislnng 
CreeJc  Half-  Year  Meeting,  &c. 

"  Which  being  read,  was  united  with  ;  and  Women's  Meeting 
also  uniting  therewith,  a  committee  was  appointed,"  &c. — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 

I.— CATAWISSA  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1796. — "At  a  Quarterly  Meeting  held  in  Philadelphia,  the 
1st  day  of  the  second  month,  179G — 

"  The  following  report  being  produced  and  read,  is  concurred 
with,  &c. 

"  The  committee  appointed  in  consequence  of  the  proposal 
from  Exeter,  relative  to  instituting  another  Monthly  Meeting 
within  their  limits,  &c.,  report,  we  are  united  in  judgment, 
that  under  all  circumstances  it  may  be  right  to  concur  there- 


138 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


■with ;  and  that  the  proposed  Monthly  Meeting  should  be  com- 
posed of,  and  include,  all  the  members  within  the  verge  of,  or 
belonging  to,  the  several  meetings  of  Roaring  Creek,  Catawissa, 
Fishing  Creek,  and  Muncy,  and  distinguished  by  the  name  of 
Catawissa  Monthly  Meeting,"  &c. 

"  On  the  23d  day  of  the  fourth  month,  1796,  and  seventh  of 
the  week,  a  Monthly  Meeting  was  opened  at  Friends'  meeting- 
house at  Catawissa,"  &c. 

"  Inasmuch  as  meetings  of  discipline  have,  under  the  influ- 
ence of  Divine  Wisdom,  been  established  in  our  Society,  and 
the  solid  advantages  experienced  therefrom  have  abundantly 
evinced  the  propriety  thereof :  in  order  that  a  due  and  tender 
attention  should  be  extended  to  the  various  circumstances  and 
situation  of  our  members,  that  their  necessities  might  be  timely 
and  duly  relieved,  and  that  Friends  be  encouraged  in  orderly 
and  circumspect  walking,  and  when  that  is  not  the  case,  that 
they  may  be  duly  advised,  and  labored  with,  in  the  spirit  of 
meekness  and  wisdom,  is  the  earnest  and  aff"ectionate  desire 
of  many  brethren  and  sisters  ;  that  the  members  of  this  meet- 
ing may  watchfully  and  diligently  seek  for,  and  follow  after, 
the  qualifying  virtue  of  truth  ;  that  a  good  light  may  be  held 
up  to  the  people,  which  may  yield  cause  for  our  members  and 
others  to  praise  the  name  of  our  God,  who  has  called  us  to 
glory  and  virtue." — (Catawissa  Monthly  Meeting.) 


CATAWISSA. 

1787. — William  Hughes,  William  Collins,  James  Watson, 
John  Love,  and  some  other  Friends,  having  settled  at  Cata- 
wissa, held  a  meeting  there  by  the  indulgence  of  Exeter 
Monthly  Meeting. 

1853.— "  Fishing  Creek  Half- Year  Meeting  informs  that 
Catawissa  Mid-week  Meeting  has  been  laid  down." 
And  in 

1856. — "  Catawissa  Particular  Meeting  has  been  laid  down." 
— (Yearly  Meeting  Extracts.) 


FISHING  CREEK  HALF-YEAR  MEETING. 


139 


ROARING  CREEK. 

From  the  settling  of  Catawissa  Monthly  Meeting,  the  two 
foregoing  meetings  made  one  preparative,  till  the  year  1801, 
when  they  were  separated  into  two. 

LOYAL  SOCK. 

1797. — "  The  committee  on  the  request  of  Friends  at  Loyal 
Sock,  reported,  &c. ;  and  after  deliberately  considering  the 
subject,  are  of  the  opinion  that  it  may  be  right  to  indulge 
them  with  the  privilege  of  holding  a  meeting  of  worship  on 
the  first  day  of  the  week,  at  the  house  of  Nathaniel  Pearson ; 
which  being  considered,  the  meeting  concurs  therewith,"  &c. — 
(Catawissa  Monthly  Meeting.) 

BERWICK. 

1800. — In  the  year  1800  the  same  authority,  in  like  man- 
ner, indulged  a  meeting  at  the  house  of  Andrew  Shiner,  on  the 
first  day  of  the  week. 

IL— FISHING  CREEK  MONTHLY  MEETING  (FORMERLY  MUNCY). 

1799. — "We,  the  committee  appointed  to  take  the  subject 
of  dividing  the  Monthly  Meeting  into  view,  after  having,  &c., 
agree  to  report,  that  we  are  united  in  judgment  that  it  will  tend 
to  the  general  benefit  of  society  among  us,  that  a  new  Monthly 
Meeting  be  established,  to  be  held  at  Muncy,  to  be  composed 
of  that  Preparative  Meeting  and  Fishing  Creek,  &c.  Which, 
being  deliberately  considered,  is  concurred  with,  and  directed 
to  be  laid  before  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  for  the  advice  and 
concurrence  thereof." — (Catawissa  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1799. — "  The  proposal,  brought  up  from  Catawissa  Monthly 
Meeting,  to  establish  a  new  Monthly  Meeting  at  Muncy,  to  be 
composed  of  the  Preparative  Meetings  of  Fishing  Creek  and 
Muncy,  coming  under  renewed  weighty  consideration,  is  united 
with,  and  the  following  Friends  appointed  to  attend  the  opening 


140 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


of  said  meeting,  viz. :  Arthur  Howell,  Samuel  Smith,  Cad- 
walader  Foulke,  David  Evans,  James  Jones,  Thomas  Lee,  and 
John  Scarlet,  Jr. 

"  Extracted  from  the  minutes. 

"  Peter  Barker, 

"  Clerk  at  this  time." 
(Philadelphia  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

1856. — "Fishing  Creek  reports  that  the  name  of  'Muncy 
Monthly  Meeting'  has  been  changed  to  'Fishing  Creek  Monthly 
Meeting,  held  at  Millville.'  "—(Yearly  Meeting.) 

MUNCY. 

179G. — "  Benjamin  Warner,  on  behalf  of  Friends  at  and 
near  Muncy,  requests  the  continuance  of  their  meeting  on 
first  and  week-days,  which  is  granted." — (Catawissa  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

FISHING  CREEK. 

1799.—"  At  a  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  in  Philadelphia,  the 
6th  of  the  fifth  month,  1799,  the  subject  brought  up  from 
Catawissa,  concerning  the  establishment  of  a  meeting  for  wor- 
ship, and  a  Preparative  Meeting,  at  Fishing  Creek,  being  care- 
fully considered,  it  is  believed  it  may  bo  safe  to  concur  with 
the  prospect  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  therein. 

"Extract  from  the  minutes. 

"  Jonathan  Evans, 

''Clerk." 
(Catawissa  Monthly  Meeting.) 

III.— ROARING  CREEK  MONTHLY  MEETING. 

1814. — "At  a  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  in  Philadelphia,  the 
7th  of  second  month,  1814,  in  considering  the  request  from 
Muncy,  for  establishing  a  Monthly  Meeting,  to  be  held  at 


FISHING  CREEK  HALF-YEAR  MEETING. 


141 


Roaring  Creek,  and  the  report  of  the  committee  appointed 
thereon,  the  meeting  was  brought  into  sympathy  with  Friends 
in  those  remote  parts,  and  conchided  to  grant  their  request,  &c. 
"Extracted  from  the  minutes. 

"  Israel  Morris, 
(Roaring  Creek  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Roaring  Creek  Monthly  Meeting  was  cofnposed  of  Catawissa 
and  Roaring  Creek  Meetings,  which  were  now  again  separated, 
so  as  to  constitute  two  Preparatives, — Berwick  being  joined  to 
the  former. 

For  Catawissa  and  Roaring  Creek  Meetings,  see  above, 
s  H  A  M  0  K  I  N. 

1840. — "  Shamokin  Friends  request  an  Indulged  Meeting 
for  worship,  to  be  held  on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  in  a  school- 
house  near  Asa  T.  Johns,  for  the  ensuing  six  months;  which 
request  the  meeting  unites  with,  and  appoints  Benjamin  Sharp- 
less  and  William  Thomas  a  committee  to  attend  the  opening  of 
the  said  meeting.  Women's  Meeting  concurring,  appoints  Mary 
Ellis  and  Sarah  Hughes  to  join  the  committee  of  men  Friends." 
— (Roaring  Creek  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  Half- Year's  Meeting  is  now  composed  of  Fishing  Creek 
and  Roaring  Creek  Monthly  Meetings.  Catawissa  Monthly 
Meeting  was  laid  down  in  1807,  and  its  members  joined  to 
Muncy.  In  1814,  it  was  virtually  re-established  under  another 
name, — Roaring  Creek  Monthly  Meeting.  At  a  later  period, 
Muncy  Monthly  Meeting  was  discontinued,  and  that  of  Fishing 
Creek  instituted  in  its  stead.  The  cause  of  most  of  these 
changes  is  expressed  in  the  following  minute  of  Catawissa 
Monthly  Meeting,  previous  to  its  dissolution  : — 

1807. — "  As  a  considerable  number  of  our  members  have 
already  removed  to  other  parts  of  the  country,  and  it  appearing 


142 


SETTLEMENT  OF  MEETINGS. 


likely  that  several  more  families  may  leave  this  neighborhood 
in  the  course  of  the  summer,  which  occasions  some  doubt  of 
Friends  remaining  here  being  sufficient  to  hold  a  Monthly 
Meeting,  &c.,  it  may  be  advisable  to  offer  our  situation  to  the 
consideration  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting ;  a  disposition  prevailing 
among  us  generally  to  submit  to  the  advice  and  judgment  of 
Friends  on  the  occasion,"  &c. — (Catawissa  Monthly  Meeting.) 


I 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


CHAPTER  I. 

CHILDREN  AND  YOUTH. 

1694. — ""We  are  willing  and  free,  for  the  good  of  all,  and 
for  the  opening  the  understandings  of  youth,  to  give  a  hint  of 
some  things  that  we  know  by  our  own  experience  that  Truth's 
testimony  is  against — as  challenging  each  other  to  run  races, 
wrestling,  laying  of  wagers,  &c." 

"  It  is  also  a  very  evil  thing,  and  hateful  to  God  and  all 
solemn  people,  for  children  to  answer  their  parents  again 
forwardly  and  crossly.  Although  they  think  they  are  out  of 
the  way,  they  ought  to  answer  soberly  and  modestly,  or  not  at 
all ;  for  parents  ought  to  be  obeyed  next  to  God.  Nor  ought 
you  to  act  for  yourselves  against  them :  they  have  taken  pains 
and  care  for  you  when  you  were  young  and  helpless,  and  so 
ought  you  to  do  for  them  when  they  are  old,  if  there  be  need." 

"And  it  behooveth  all  parents,  masters,  and  mistresses,  to 
be  good  examples  in  their  families,  and  to  watch  over  them  for 
good ;  for  it  is  a  great  grief  to  many  of  us  to  see  and  hear 
Friends'  children,  as  well  as  others  who  profess  Truth,  so  fre- 
quently use  the  world's  language, — as  i/ou  to  a  single  person  and 
among  one  another, — which  is  a  certain  token  that  they  are  not 
so  much  as  brought  up  in  the  form  of  Truth,  which  is  our  duty, 
and  ought  to  be  our  care." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 


144 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


1706. — "Advised,  that  Friends  be  careful  not  to  put  their 
children  apprentices  to  such  as  are  not  Friends,  •whereby  they 
are  often  led  away  through  evil  example;  but,  as  much  as  in 
them  lies,  to  bring  up  their  children,  and  all  under  their  care, 
in  the  fear  and  nurture  of  the  Lord,  that  none  may  be  blame- 
worthy in  a  thing  so  greatly  necessary." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1721. — "Advised  that  no  Friend  suffer  romances,  play-books, 
and  other  vain  and  idle  pamphlets,  in  their  houses  or  families, 
■which  tend  to  corrupt  the  mind  of  youth ;  but,  instead  thereof, 
that  they  excite  them  to  the  reading  of  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
and  other  good  and  religious  books." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1723. — "  It  is  recommended  that  such  Friends  as  are  con- 
cerned in  the  affairs  of  the  Church,  at  Quarterly,  Monthly,  and 
Particular  Meetings,  be  careful  to  act  themselves  in  the  wisdom 
of  God,  whereby  they  may  be  exemplary  to  the  young  who 
may  be  esteemed  members  thereof  and  attend  the  same.  And 
as  such  young  persons  are  found  to  be  qualified,  with  a  real 
sense  of  Truth  on  their  spirits  and  subject  thereunto,  and 
thereby  made  capable  to  come  up  to  a  service  in  the  several 
meetings.  Friends  are  desired  to  encourage  and  bring  them 
forward  therein,  whereby  they  may  be  helpful  to  the  ancient." 

"As  to  such  young  people  as  have  been  educated  in  the 
way  of  Truth,  or  made  profession  with  us,  if  they  do  not  con- 
tinue in  well-doing,  but  frequent  scandalous  or  tippling  houses, 
and  delight  in  vain  and  evil  company  and  communications,  or 
shall  use  gaming,  or  drink  to  excess,  or  behave  rudely,  or  such 
like  enormities,  or  shall  decline  our  plain  way  of  speech,  or 
imitate  the  vain,  antic  modes  and  customs  of  the  times,  &c., 
....  it  is  our  advice  and  earnest  desire  that  parents  and 
guardians,  while  such  youth  are  under  their  tuition,  do  restrain 
them,  and  not  indulge  them  in  such  pride  and  extravagance. 
But  if  they  will  not  be  reformed,  then  the  Overseers  and  other 
Friends  shall  use  their  endeavors  to  reclaim  them;  and  if  they 
cannot  prevail,  let  the  offenders  (after  dealing  and  admonition) 
have  notice  to  be  at  the  next  succeeding  Monthly  Meeting,  in 
order  to  be  further  dealt  withal,  in  the  wisdom  of  Truth,  ac- 
cording to  our  discipline." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 


CHILDREN  AND  YOUTH. 


145 


1724. — "And  let  none  of  them  count  it  a  light  thing  to  reject 
or  slight  the  care  and  concern  that  Friends  have  for  their  wel- 
fare and  prosperity  in  the  blessed  Truth,  lest  they  be  found 
fighting  against  God,  and  trampling  upon  his  testimony,  in  his 
faithful  people  and  children." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1729. — "We  beseech  all  Friends  who  are  parents  of  children, 
guardians,  and  masters  of  families,  to  be  religiously  concerned, 
in  precept  and  example,  to  nurture  them  up  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord  and  knowledge  of  his  Truth ;  that  they  induce  them  to 
read  the  Holy  Scriptures,  to  be  frequent  at  meetings,  and  to 
keep  them  from  loose,  wanton,  and  vain  books  and  vicious 
company." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1759.  — "In  all  our  cares  about  worldly  treasures,  let  us 
steadily  bear  in  mind  that  riches,  possessed  by  children  who  do 
not  truly  serve  God,  are  likely  to  prove  snares,  that  may  more 
grievously  entangle  them  in  that  spirit  of  selfishness  and  exalta- 
tion which  stands  in  opposition  to  true  peace  and  happiness, 
and  renders  them  enemies  to  the  cross  of  Christ  who  submit  to 
the  influence  of  it." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1760.  — "  One  prevailing  danger  which  attends  them  (the 
youth)  is  the  frequenting  of  public  companies,  such  as  are  too 
often  met  with  in  taverns,  fairs,  and  all  places  of  public  diver- 
sion, wherein,  although  they  may  see  no  harm  at  first,  there  is 
a  snare  in  which  many  promising  youth  have  been  caught. 
Having  been  overtaken,  in  unguarded  moments,  not  only  with 
the  current  vanities,  but  even  the  infections  of  the  wicked ;  and, 
as  error  is  progressive  and  sin  hardens  the  heart,  they  have 
gone  on  from  one  thing  to  another,  till  lamentable  consequences 
have  ensued.  And  as  most  disorders  are  more  easily  prevented 
than  remedied,  we  advise  Friends,  in  their  Monthly  Meetings, 
to  take  this  matter  under  their  care,  and  add  their  assistance, 
where  necessary  to  the  endeavors  of  individuals,  to  discourage  it 
as  much  as  in  them  lies." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

A  very  large  amount  of  salutary  advice  might  be  added,  but 
I  will  close  this  article  with  a  short  address,  which  was  issued 

10 


146 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


by  Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting,  on  the  approach  of  a  public 
fair,  in  1772. 

1772. — "Beloved  Youth:  Feeling  strong  desires  that  you 
may  be  preserved  from  the  ways  of  ensnaring  folly,  we  have  to 
remind  you  that  some  who  have  trod  before  you  the  slippery 
paths  which  you  are  in,  for  want  of  keeping  to  that  state  of 
watchfulness  in  which  alone  there  is  safety,  have,  by  the  pre- 
vailing leaven  of  evil  company,  been  drawn  aside  from  the 
narrow  way,  whereby  they  have  made  for  themselves  a  long 
and  painful  wilderness  of  suflering  to  pass  through,  before  they 
have  come  to  know  a  state  of  acceptance  with  the  Father  of 
Mercies  ;  and  it  is  much  to  be  feared  that  many  have  been  so 
far  entangled  as  never  to  have  arrived  at  a  place  of  rest. 

"  Therefore,  seeing  the  dangers  before  you  are  so  imminent, 
the  prize  for  which  you  are  to  run  of  such  infinite  importance, 
the  time  allotted  for  you  to  make  your  calling  and  election 
sure  so  short,  and  that  time  so  very  uncertain,  we  feel  con- 
strained, in  the  bonds  of  unfeigned  affection,  to  warn  you  to 
shun  all  light  and  vain  company,  and  especially  at  the  time  of 
the  Fair  now  approaching.  As  it  is  become  a  scene  of  much 
profanity,  we  think  it  safest  that  you  should,  as  much  as  pos- 
sible, avoid  attending  it.  The  vain  fashions  and  follies,  the 
idle  amusements,  games,  and  recreations  of  the  present  day, 
are  so  far  beneath  the  dignity  of  the  Christian  spirit,  that  we 
feel  a  desire  that  you  may  be  more  and  more  preserved  out  of 
them.  We  recommend  to  your  solid  attention  the  solemn  in- 
junction of  the  royal  Psalmist :  '  And  thou,  Solomon,  ray  son, 
know  thou  the  God  of  thy  fathers,  and  serve  him  with  a  perfect 
heart,  and  with  a  willing  mind  ;  for  the  Lord  searcheth  all 
hearts,  and  understandeth  the  imagination  of  all  thoughts.  If 
thou  seek  him,  he  will  be  found  of  thee ;  but  if  thou  forsake 
him,  he  will  cast  thee  off  forever.'  " — (Wilmington  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

It  is  a  consideration  which  might  profitably  engage  the  atten- 
tion of  those  who  have  the  management  and  instruction  of  the 


CONDUCT  AND 


CONVERSATION. 


147 


young,  how  far  their  backslidings  might  have  been  prevented 
by  more  timely  and  vigilant  care  on  their  own  part,  and,  con- 
sequently, how  far  they  themselves  are  accountable  to  God  for 
what  may  appear  to  others  as  the  pcrverseness  of  those  under 
their  care.  It  is,  indeed,  recorded  :  "  I,  the  Lard  thy  God, 
am  a  jealous  God,  visiting  the  iniquities  of  the  fathers  upon  the 
children  unto  the  third  and  fourth  generation,"  But  this  seems 
to  be  rather  the  declaration  of  a  prophetic  truth  than  of  the 
Divine  justice  ;  for  it  is  also  declared:  "  The  fathers  shall  not 
be  put  to  death  for  the  children,  neither  shall  the  children  be 
put  to  death  for  the  fathers :  every  man  shall  be  put  to  death 
for  his  own  sin." 


CHAPTER  11. 

CONDUCT  AND  CONVERSATION. 

1694. — "Dear  Friends,  whatsoever  we  may  meet  withal,  for 
the  sake  of  our  constant  testimony  to  the  Truth  in  all  manner 
of  conversation,  and  to  the  end  that  we  may  not  faint  in  our 
minds,  let  us  consider  Him  who  endured  such  contradiction  of 
sinners  against  himself,  who  took  up  the  cross  and  despised  the 
shame,  and  is  now  sat  down  on  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  of 
God.  This  is  the  Captain  of  our  salvation;  let  us  follow  him, 
that  we  may  fight  under  his  banner  the  good  fight  of  faith,  ai^d 
in  the  end  we  may  obtain  the  crown  of  righteousness,  which 
is  peace  and  assurance  forever." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1726. — "  "VVe  find  a  pressing  concern  earnestly  to  excite  all 
our  dear  Friends,  brethren  and  sisters,  seriously  to  consider  the 
state  of  things  in  this  land,  so  lately  a  wilderness.  When,  on 
the  one  hand,  we  look  back  to  the  many  blessings  we  have  re- 
ceived, and  the  protection  and  peace  we  have  enjoyed,  how 
greatly  doth  it  concern  us  to  be  humbled  before  the  Almighty, 
and  with  grateful  hearts  take  due  heed  to  our  walking  before 
him  ;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  when  we  take  a  view  of  the  great 


148 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


increase  of  the  people,  and  consider  how  many  among  them 
appear  regardless  of  religion,  probity,  and  virtue,  who  seem  to 
combine,  in  an  uncommon  manner,  to  rush  into  immoralities 
and  tumultuous  practices,  using  many  artful  ways  to  draw 
others  to  fall  in  with  them — the  more,  perhaps,  because  of  the 
number  of  Friends  who  are  inhabitants  here,  and  that  some 
are  concerned  in  the  Government,  by  this  means,  since  they 
cannot  persecute  them  as  in  times  past,  to  give  them  disturb- 
ance and  trouble  of  another  sort — how  very  careful,  then,  ought 
we  all  to  be  not  to  countenance  or  connive  at  such  doings  in 
the  least  manner,  under  any  color  or  pretence  whatsoever,  but 
to  oppose  and  discourage  them  as  much  as  in  us  lies." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

1732. — "I          H          appeared  here  and  acknowledged 

his  fault  (being  too  vain  in  his  conversation),  and  to  be  very 
sorry  for  it.  This  meeting,  upon  consideration,  doth  pass  it 
by." — (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1734. — "And  we  earnestly  caution  and  advise  against  the 
inordinate  pursuit  of  worldly  riches,  which,  being  sought  within 
due  bounds,  for  the  comfortable  subsistence  of  ourselves  and 
families,  and  the  charitable  relief  of  others  in  necessity,  is  not 
only  lawful,  but  commendable ;  but  when  the  mind  is  carried 
away  with  the  love  of  these  things,  they  then  become  (even 
though  men  do  not  transgress  the  bounds  of  justice)  a  clog  and 
hindrance  in  its  attendan-ce  on  the  duties  of  religion,  and  is  an 
excess  which  ought  to  be  guarded  against." 

"  We  seriously  exhort  all,  that  in  their  conversation  in  the 
world,  they  keep  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  therein  watch 
against  the  enemy,  that  he  neither  entangle  nor  hurt  their 
spirits  by  a  too  near  or  unnecessary  intimacy ;  for,  although 
such  conversation  may  be  lawful  and  necessary,  yet,  if  it  be 
done  beyond  the  limits  of  the  pure  fear,  the  spirit  of  the  world 
may  seek  and  gain  an  entrance ;  and,  being  once  entered,  it 
will  insensibly  dispose  the  mind  to  a  condescension  to  and  com- 
pliance with  the  people  so  conversed  with,  first  in  one  thing, 
then  in  another — in  words,  behavior,  &c.  (little  things  in  ap- 
pearance, but  great  things  in  consequence),  till  at  length  in- 


PLAINNESS. 


149 


difference  gets  up  in  the  mind,  and  the  testimony  of  Truth  is 
by  degrees  let  fall." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

This  minute  describes  with  prophetic  accuracy  the  cause 
which  has  pre-eminently  disposed  so  many  Friends  to  a  com- 
pliance with  the  world's  ways,  until  indiflference  has  indeed  got 
up,  and  the  testimonies  of  Truth  have  been  suffered  to  fall  to 
the  ground. 

1772. — "And  it  is  desired  that,  above  all,  we  individually 
dwell  near  to  the  Divine  principle  of  Truth  in  our  own  minds  ; 
a  due  attention  to  the  dictates  of  which,  would  produce  fruits 
of  righteousness  in  precept  and  example,  and  contribute  to  the 
restoration  of  that  primitive  beauty  which  eminently  distin- 
guished our  ancient  Friends,  in  the  first  breaking  forth  of  this 
day  of  Gospel  Light  among  them." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 


CHAPTER  III. 

PLAINNESS. 

1670. — "  Son  William,  if  you  and  your  Friends  keep  to  your 
plain  way  of  preaching,  and  to  your  plain  way  of  living,  you 
will  make  an  end  of  the  priests  to  the  end  of  the  world." — 
(Admiral  Penn.) 

1682. — "  Advised  that  male  and  female,  both  old  and  young, 
who  make  mention  of  the  name  of  the  Lord,  may  all  take  heed 
that  they  be  not  found  in  wearing  superfluity  of  apparel ;  .  .  . 
but  that  all  may  be  kept  within  the  bounds  of  moderation,  and 
within  the  limits  of  the  spirit  of  Truth,  and  may  be  known  to 
be  governed  by  the  Truth  in  all  concerns,  so  shall  we  be  to  the 
glory  of  God,  and  the  comfort  of  one  another." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

1694. — "  We  tenderly  advise  all,  both  old  and  young,  to 


150 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


keep  out  of  the  world's  corrupt  language,  maanera,  and  vain, 
needless  things,  and  fashions  in  apparel,  and  immoderate  and 
indecent  smoking  of  tobacco. 

"  It  is  very  unseemly,  and  not  at  all  like  Truth,  to  ride,  or  go 
in  the  streets  with  pipes  in  their  mouths ;  for  we  ought,  in  all 
things,  to  take  up  the  daily  cross,  minding  the  grace  of  God, 
that  brings  salvation,  and  teaches  to  deny  all  ungodliness  and 
worldly  lusts,  and  to  live  soberly  and  godly  in  this  present 
world,  that  we  may  adorn  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
So  shall  we  feel  His  blessing,  and  may  be  instrumental  in  His 
hands  for  the  good  of  others." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1719. — "Advised  that  such  be  dealt  with  as  do  not  keep 
themselves  and  their  children  to  moderation  and  plainness  in 
gesture,  speech,  apparel,  or  furniture  of  houses ;"  ....  "for, 
as  those  vain  habits  and  needless  fashions,  by  the  levity  too 
much  prevalent  among  mankind,  frequently  change,  so  the  vain 
and  wanton  mind  m  our  youth  and  others  is  too  apt  to  be  taken 

with,  and  fall  into  them."  "Also  such  as  accustom 

themselves,  or  suffer  willingly  their  children,  to  use  the  corrupt, 
and  unscriptural  language  of  t/ou  to  a  single  person ;  or  to  call 
the  week-days  or  months  by  names  given  them  by  the  heathen, 
in  honor  of  their  gods ;  it  being  contrary  to  Scripture  and  our 
ancient  testimony." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1726. — "As  we  have  been  redeemed  from  the  confused  doc- 
trines of  the  schools,  so  has  it,  from  the  beginning, 

fallen  closely  on  our  elder  brethren  to  bear  testimony  against 
all  vanity  and  pride,  all  superfluity  and  excess ;  being  rightly 
made  to  see,  in  the  first  place,  the  great  necessity  of  sincerity 
and  uprightness  of  heart  towards  God,  and  obedience  to  His 
commands ;  and  next,  how  inconsistent  it  is  with  His  inward 
work  to  retain  or  launch  into  the  vain  customs  and  fashions 
too  prevalent  among  the  professors  of  Christianity.  For  how 
is  it  possible  for  a  mind  truly  religious  to  be  delighted  with 
such  follies  ?  Let  but  our  youth,  or  others  who  may  now  maki^ 
light  of  such  plainness  in  speech,  and  apparel,  or  furniture,  as 
our  elders  have  been  led  into,  but  seriously  examine  their  own 
hearts,  with  due  application  to  the  grace  of  God  placed  there, 


PLAINNESS. 


151 


and  they  will  find  that,  so  far  as  they  let  out  the  mind  to  such 
vanities,  they  weaken  themselves  in  the  true  practice  of  reli- 
gious duties,  and  lie  open  to  further  temptations  and  more 
dangerous  vices." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1746. — "Though  the  goodness  of  God  is  such  that  He  will, 
doubtless,  in  His  universal  love,  visit  them  (the  youth),  and 
strive  with  them,  yet,  if  they  give  way  to  youthful  lusts,  which 
now,  as  much  as  ever,  war  against  the  soul,  and  their  parents 
neglect  to  do  their  duty  in  restraining  them,  it  may  be  feared 
that  the  visitation  of  the  grace  of  God  may  be  bestowed  on 
them  in  vain,  to  their  own  irreparable  loss,  and  the  great  dis- 
appointment of  their  parents.  We  do,  thei"efore,  in  the  love 
of  God,  and  great  tenderness  of  spirit,  beseech  you  to  be  re- 
ligiously concerned,  in  precept  and  by  example,  to  nurture 
them  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  and  the  knowledge  of  His  Truth ; 
and  that  you  induce  them  frequently  to  read  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, and  such  other  books  as  tend  to  their  instruction  in  true 
Christianity;  and,  as  far  as  in  your  power,  to  prevent  them 
reading  any  books  of  a  contrary  tendency." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1778. — Complaint  was  made  against  "E          B  ,  for 

much  deviating  from  plainness,  in  dress  and  address,  and  fre- 
quenting places  of  music  and  dancing." 

Also  against  "E  S  and  S  S  ,  for  deviating 

from  plainness  of  dress  and  language,  and  frequenting  places 
of  music  and  dancing,  and  joining  therein  themselves." — 
(Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

In  reply,  we  often  hear  it  said  that  religion  does  not  consist 
in  thee  and  thou;  in  the  cut  or  color  of  a  garment;  or  in  the 
style  of  household  furniture.  That  is  admitted.  But  as  the 
mind  is  brought  under  the  influence  of  religion,  its  cravings 
and  desires  are  all  subjected  to  that  divine  and  heavenly 
influence;  there  will  be  no  disposition  to  indulge  in  super- 
fluity, and  extravagance,  whereby  others  might  be  induced  to 
imitate  them,  at  a  cost  which  their  means  would  not  justify. 
Indeed  it  is  not  lawful  for  Christians  to  waste  their  means  in 


152 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


that  -vvay,  however  ample,  while  there  are  so  many  humane 
and  benevolent  purposes  to  which  they  may  be  better  applied. 

Though  plainness  is  not  religion,  yet  it  is  a  religious  duty; 
and  religion,  when  properly  established  in  the  mind,  will  always 
incline  us  to  simplicity  in  life  and  manners. 

1792. — "  Some  explanation  respecting  the  authority  of 
Monthly  Meetings  to  disown  our  youth,  or  others,  who  depart 
from  that  simplicity  which  Truth  requires,  and  who  run  into 
and  copy  after  the  vain  and  extravagant  fashions  of  the  world, 
in  their  dress  and  address,  being  necessary,  and  coming  under 
solid  and  weighty  consideration,  it  appears  to  be  the  sense  of 
this  meeting,  that  if,  after  patient  labor,  in  the  spirit  of  meek- 
ness and  wisdom,  such  cannot  be  reclaimed.  Monthly  Meetings 
may  give  forth  a  testimony  of  disownment  against  them." — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 


CHAPTER  IV. 

CHARITY,  LOVE,  AND  UNITY. 

1687. — "We  beseech  all,  that  they  hold  fast  the  blessed 
unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace,  and  be  tender  and 
very  careful  of  breaking  it ;  lest  it  be  an  occasion  of  mourning 
to  Zion,  and  of  rejoicing  to  her  enemies." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1706. — "  We  recommend  unto  you  fervent  and  inward 
charity  one  towards  another,  and  to  all  men ;  for  beside  those 
commendations  given  unto  charity  by  the  Apostle,  in  his  day, 
we  also  say  by  experience,  that  charity  preventeth  many  evils. 
It  keeps  the  peace,  preserves  unity,  and,  as  it  were,  teaches 
all  duty.  Where  charity  is,  there  is  love  to  God  and  love  to 
man  ;  but  where  that  is  Avanting,  zeal  toward  God  fails,  and 
neighbors  and  friends  are  also  disregarded,  and,  instead  of 
acts  and  expressions  of  love  and  good-will  to  all,  the  contrary 
is  brought  forth  by  such,  which  ought  not.  It  is  for  want  of 
charity  that  men  speak  evil  of  dignities,  detract  and  lessen  the 


CHARITY,  LOVE,  AND  UNITY. 


153 


name  of  their  neighbors,  and  evily  intreat  in  secret  the 
reputation  of  those  that  think  them  no  harm.  And  this  is  a 
crying  evil,  from  which  the  God  of  Truth  purges  and  preserves 
his  people  everywhere." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1727. — "Dear  Friends,  love  and  unity  is  the  true  orna- 
ment and  bond  of  our  Society,  under  our  heavenly  head,  Christ 
Jesus ;  and  without  which,  formality  will  take  the  place  of 
substance,  and  the  life  and  power  of  true  religion  will  be 
withdrawn.  And  you  are  sensible  that  the  way  to  stand  firm 
in  that  unity  and  love  is,  for  every  member  to  have  a  watch 
over  his  own  heart,  and  to  examine  whether  he  finds  love  to 
God  and  the  brethren  really  established  there,  upon  all  occa- 
sions, but  more  especially  when  we  meet  together  for  worship 
or  discipline." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1752. — "Whereas  several  things  among  us  are  not  so  well 
as  could  be  desired,  therefore  we  do  think  well  to  apply  to  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  for  assistance,  and  appoint  Benjamin  Swett, 
Eliakim  Garretson,  Thomas  Gilpin,  and  Richard  Carson,  to 
attend  the  service  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  carry  in  our 
report,  viz. :  Meetings  are  kept  up ;  love  and  unity  not  so  well 
as  could  be  desired  ; — so  we  request  the  assistance  of  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  in  settling  some  uneasiness  that  subsists  among 
us." — (Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

]762. — "  This  meeting  recommends  to  all  the  Monthly  Meet- 
ings to  use  early  faithful  endeavors  to  remove  uneasiness,  and 
inquire  strictly  into  the  cause  why  love  and  unity  (as  they  ap- 
peared in  ancient  beauty  among  our  forefathers)  is  now  so 
much  lost  in  society;  and  tenderly  entreat  Friends,  in  their 
Monthly  and  other  Meetings,  to  be  roused  up  to  industry,  that 
they  may  be  able  to  bring  up  more  satisfactory  reports  here- 
after."— (Western  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

1766. — "Dear  Friends:  We,  the  committee  appointed  by 
the  Quarterly  Meeting  to  your  assistance,  having  met  at  the 
time  and  place  appointed,  and  inquired  into  the  cause  of  some 
uneasiness  which  hath  subsisted  among  Friends  of  your  meet- 
ing, and  considering  the  necessity  and  importance  of  unity  in 
sentiments  and  conduct  of  active  members  of  Monthly  Meet- 


154 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


ings,  and  viewing  the  general  conduct  of  the  Society  in  such 
difficult  cases,  as  far  as  hath  come  to  our  knowledge,  we  do  in 
much  tenderness  remark,  that  when  persons  having  some  right 
of  membership  are  under  immediate  dealing  by  the  Overseers, 
or  by  the  Meeting,  for  conduct  publicly  reproachful,  and  in 
that  situation  are  likely  to  propose  intentions  of  marriage,  they 
should  be  advised  against  making  such  proposals,  until  they 
have  ofl'ered  such  condemnation  of  their  misconduct  as  the 
Monthly  Meeting  shall  think  sufficient.  And  if,  notwithstand- 
ing such  advice,  any  person  so  situated  shall  offer  such  propo- 
sals, we  think  the  Meeting  should  first  demand  such  an  acknow- 
ledgment, before  they  show  so  much  unity  as  to  admit  of  such 
proposals.  We  mention  these  sentiments  as  likely  to  be  useful  in 
future  cases  of  the  like  nature,  and  without  any  design  of  bear- 
ing hard  on  those  who,  in  the  case  under  consideration,  thought 
somewhat  differently.  And  with  respect  to  the  degree  of  kin- 
dred of  the  parties,  we  find  no  rule  in  our  Discipline  which  we 
think  amounts  to  a  prohibition  in  that  case ;  and  yet  Friends 
who  are  tender  in  those  points,  should  be  careful  in  timely 
speaking  to  the  parties  likely  to  contract  marriage,  before  their 
affections  are  too  far  engaged. 

"  Upon  the  whole,  as  we  observe  a  decent  regard  to  each 
other,  in  the  Friends  of  your  committee  who  were  of  opposite 
sentiments,  we  much  desire  that  the  same  moderation  and  spirit 
of  brotherly  love  may  prevail  and  increase  among  you,  that  no 
root  of  bitterness  may  be  nourished  in  any  minds.  Difference 
in  sentiment  among  the  best  is  common.  In  a  case  circum- 
stanced as  the  above,  it  might  reasonably  be  expected.  May 
you  then  think  of  each  other  with  tenderness,  bear  one  an- 
other's burdens,  and  so  fulfil  the  law  of  Christ.  We  conclude 
your  affectionate  friends. 

"  Daniel  Smith,  Jr.,  "  Henry  Paxton, 

"  John  HosKiNS,  "Peter  Harvey, 

"Edward  Cathrall,  "Joseph  Busby, 

"Cornell  Stephenson,        "Caleb  Carr, 
"Hezekiah  Jones,  "Francis  Vincecomb, 

"William  Jones." 

(Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting.) 


MINISTRY. 


155 


CHAPTER  V. 

MINISTRY. 

Every  religious  association,  -whether  great  or  small,  has  an 
undoubted  right  to  judge  of,  and  approve  or  disapprove,  the 
ministrations  of  its  members.  The  early  exercise  of  this  right, 
and  the  manner  of  doing  it,  was  probably  derived  from  the 
example  of  Friends  in  England. 

1681.  — "Agreed  that  if  any  Friend  have  it  on  his  mind  to 
travel  in  the  service  of  Truth  to  any  remote  parts,  that  before 
they  so  do  they  first  lay  their  intentions  before  the  respective 
Monthly  Meetings  they  do  belong  to,  in  order  to  have  the  ap- 
probation or  consent  thereof." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1682.  — "  Whereas  S  H  hath  acted  contrary  to  the 

blessed  Truth,  and  hath  rendered  himself  unworthy  of  the 
weighty  work  and  service  of  the  ministry,  by  giving  way  to 
[an]  unbridled  and  a  loose,  gainsaying,  rebellious,  ranting  spi- 
rit, and  that  a  testimony,  as  of  this  meeting,  be  drawn  and  go 
forth  against  him,  for  the  clearing  of  the  blessed  Truth  and  the 
honest  pi"ofessors  of  it  of  the  reproach  he  hath  brought  upon 
it  and  them,  by  his  ungodly  and  loose  carriage." — (Thirdhaven 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1685. — "It  is  agreed  that  Friends  in  the  ministry  do  meet 
together  on  first-day  morning  at  the  seventh  hour,  before  the 
public  general  meeting,  in  such  place  as  shall  be  prepared  by 
the  public  Friends  in  each  town  where  the  meeting  shall  be 
kept  that  year." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

This  appears  to  be  the  first  institution  of  the  meeting  of 
ministers.    The  appointment  of  Elders  had  not  yet  been  made. 

1690. — "  Some  weighty,  serious  Friends  having  moved  it  to 
this  meeting,  that  ministering  Friends  that  have  a  testimony 


15G 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


for  the  Truth  in  meetings,  may  have  a  meeting  a  few  hours 
before  the  Yearly  Meeting  begins ;  which  this  meeting  has 
unity  with,  and  does  agree  that  Friends  so  qualified  do  meet  at 
the  meeting-house  at  Thirdhaven,  about  the  seventh  hour,  the 
first  day  of  the  public  meeting.  And  at  William  Richardson's, 
about  the  same  hour,  the  first  day  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  when 
it  is  on  the  Western  Shore." — (Thirdhaven  Yearly  Meeting.) 

1G95. — "  Ordered  at  this  meeting,  that  Samuel  Furness  and 
Thomas  Raper  assist  Henry  Grubb  in  the  care  of  public  Friends' 
horses ;  and  that  Henry  Grubb  do  bring  in  his  account  once  a 
quarter  to  the  Monthly  Meeting,  to  receive  his  money  on  said 
account,  or  any  other  necessary  charge." — (Burlington  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1699. — "  It  was  agreed  at  our  last  Quarterly  Meeting,  that 
some  Friends  be  chosen  at  this  meeting,  to  go  along  with  one  from 
Burlington  Meeting,  to  accompany  travelling  Friends  as  need 
shall  require.  The  Friends  chosen  are  Robert  Wilson,  William 
Wood,  John  Bunting,  and  John  Abbott,  one  of  which  is  to  go 
with  one  from  Burlington,  to  York  or  Shrewsbury,  as  need  shall 
require,  beginning  with  the  first,  until  they  have  all  been 
once." — (Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1699. — "According  to  the  order  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting, 
this  meeting  have  chosen  four  men  for  the  service  of  going  with 
travelling  Friends  when  occasion  is." — (Burlington  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

The  three  preceding  minutes  are  characteristic  of  the  fore- 
thought and  brotherly  kindness  of  the  early  Friends,  who  often 
had  to  travel  long  distances  through  a  wilderness  country. 
Witness  the  case  of  George  Fox,  George  Pattison,  Robert 
Widders,  and  "  some  others,"  who  journeyed  from  Thirdhaven, 
in  Maryland,  to  Oyster  Bay,  Long  Island,  in  1672,  ten  years 
before  the  arrival  of  William  Penn  in  this  country. 

1704. — "Elizabeth  Webb  requested  of  this  meeting  to  give 
her  a  few  lines  of  her  conversation  since  she  has  been  among 
us,  for  the  seventh-day  meeting  of  ministering  Friends  at 


MINISTRY. 


157 


Philadelphia ;  and,  according  to  her  request,  it  was  granted." 
— (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

This  is  the  earliest  mention  which  I  have  met  with,  of  a  cer- 
tificate from  the  Monthly  Meeting  to  the  Meeting  of  Ministers. 
Nor  do  I  find  any  order  of  a  superior  meeting  requiring  one, 
until  1712.  (See  below.)  It  is  probable  that,  for  a  time,  all 
who  appeared  in  the  ministry  were  permitted  to  sit  in  those 
meetings,  until,  owing  no  doubt  to  some  disturbing  spirits  thus 
getting  in,  the  order,  or  at  least  the  usage,  was  altered.  John 
Richardson,  while  in  Rhode  Island,  in  1701,  says  he  "met 
with  something  worthy  of  notice." 

•'Being  in  Rhode  Island,  several  Friends  came  to  me,  in 
some  of  the  intervals  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  to  inquire  whether 
it  was  usual  to  let  the  young,  and  such  as  had  appeared  little 
in  testimony  in  our  part  of  the  world,  come  into  meetings  of 
public  Friends  ?  I  said  yes,  if  they  were  of  clean  lives,  and 
what  they  had  to  say  approved ;  and  it  was  very  likely  such 
might  want  advice,  as  much  as  those  who  were  come  to  more 
experience  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  if  not  more.  This  was 
some  means  of  enlarging  the  said  Meetings  of  Ministers  now 
coming  on." 

1710. — "  This  meeting,  have  taken  into  consideration  E  

G  's  appearing  in  public,  to  the  dissatisfaction  of  Friends, 

therefore  this  meeting  doth  appoint  Thomas  VVickersham  and 
Samuel  Graves  to  speak  to  him  and  labor  with  him,  that,  for 
the  time  to  come,  he  keep  silent,  &c.  George  Harlan  and 
Thomas  Wickersham  are  appointed  to  attend  the  Meeting  of 
Ministering  Friends,  and  lay  before  them  the  dissatisfaction  of 

this  meeting  concerning  E          G  's  appearing  in  public," 

kc. — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1712. — "  This  meeting  orders,  that  every  one  who  frequently 
appears  in  that  station  (of  ministers),  that  they  request  certifi- 
cates, from  the  Monthly  Meeting  to  which  they  belong,  of  their 
unity  and  fellowship  with  them  in  that  weighty  work ;  so  that 
they  may  have  them  to  produce  to  the  Meeting  of  Ministering 


158 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


Friends,  as  there  may  be  occasion." — (Bucks  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing-) 

1713. — "  Therefore,  John  Rutledge  and  Ezra  Crosdale  do 
request,  each  of  them,  one  (certificate)  from  this  meeting  to 
the  Meeting  of  Ministering  Friends." — (Middletown  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1715. — "  John  Scarborough  requested  a  certificate  from  this 
meeting  to  the  Meeting  of  Ministering  Friends  ;  but  the  meet- 
ing being  small,  and  none  from  the  meeting  he  belongs  to, 
therefore  this  meeting  defers  a  month,  and  appoints  Joseph 
Fell  to  inquire  how  Friends  of  that  meeting  are  satisfied  that 
his  life  and  conversation  agrees  with  his  doctrine,"  &c. — (Falls 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1717.  — "Edmund  Kinsey  requested  a  certificate  from  us  to 
the  Meeting  of  Ministering  Friends.  Agreed  that  one  be 
drawn  in  readiness  against  next  meeting." — (Falls  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1718.  — "It  was  thought  necessary  that  the  Overseers  of  each 
Particular  Meeting,  belonging  to  this  meeting,  do  meet  on  the 
seventh  day  morning  next,  to  draw  up  something  in  writing  to 
send  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers,  to  give  them  an 
account  of  the  state  of  the  ministry  among  us." — (Burlington 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

I  have  not  noticed  the  time  when,  or  the  authority  by  which, 
the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  was  established.  John 
Fothergill  attended  a  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  at 
Neshamony  the  day  preceding  Bucks  Quarter,  in  1721.  In 
1733,  Shrewsbury  Quarterly  Meeting  requested  the  Yearly 
Meeting  to  allow  them  a  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders,  Avhich  was  granted;  "the  said  meeting  to  be  account- 
able, as  other  Meetings  of  Ministers  and  Elders  are,  to  this 
meeting." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1723. — "It  is  to  be  observed  that  the  God  and  fountain  of 
all  our  mercies  has  opened  and  is  opening,  in  divers  of  our 
young  people,  a  divine  spring  of  living  ministry.  Therefore 


MINISTRY. 


159 


our  cai-nest  desire  is,  that  both  ministers  and  elders  may  be  as 
nursing  fathers  and  mothers  to  those  that  are  young  in  the 
ministry,  and  with  all  care  and  diligence  advise  and  admonish 
them,  and,  if  they  see  occasion,  reprove  them,  in  a  tender  and 
Christian  spirit ;  observing  the  rules  of  our  discipline  and 
counsel  of  Friends  in  that  respect.  As  also  to  exhort  them 
frequently  to  read  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  earnestly  seek  the 
mind  of  the  Spirit  of  Truth  to  open  the  mysteries  of  those  holy 
writings ;  and,  as  they  keep  to  true  patience,  and  submission 
to  the  will  of  God,  and  stand  faithful,  and  abide  in  the  simpli- 
city of  the  Gospel,  and  be  exercised  in  their  proper  gifts, 
keeping  down  to  the  openings  of  divine  love  and  life  in  them- 
selves, they  will  witness  a  gradual  growth,  and  be  content  to 
wait  for  it  in  the  will  of  God,  and  not  strive  to  extend  their 
declarations  further  than  they  find  the  life  and  power  of  God 
to  bear  them  up." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

"  If  any  man  speak,  let  him  speak  as  the  oracles  of  God  ;  if 
any  man  minister,  let  him  do  it  as  of  the  ability  which  God 
giveth."  When  God,  in  mercy,  shall  send  forth  the  mes- 
sengers of  his  grace,  he  will  assuredly  furnish  them  the  mes- 
sages which  they  are  commissioned  to  deliver  to  the  people. 
Moses  said  :  "  I  am  not  eloquent,  but  I  am  slow  of  speech,  and 
of  a  slow  tongue."  But  the  answer  Avas  :  "  Go,  and  I  will  be 
thy  mouth,  and  teach  thee  what  thou  shalt  say."  And  Jesus 
Christ  gave  instruction  to  those  whom  he  commissioned  to 
preach  the  Gospel  "  among  all  nations  :"  "  Take  no  thought 
beforehand  what  ye  shall  speak,  neither  do  ye  premeditate  ; 
but  whatsoever  shall  be  given  you  in  that  hour,  that  speak  ye ; 
for  it  is  not  ye  that  speak,  but  the  Holy  Ghost." 

The  wisdom  and  eloquence  of  man,  all  the  self-acquirements 
which  it  is  possible  for  him  to  attain,  never  did,  and  never  will 
make  any  one  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  however 
much  they  may  assist  when  kept  in  entire  subjection  to,  and  in 
accordance  with,  the  power  of  God  operating  in  the  soul.  The 
most  elBcient  preachers  which  the  world  has  ever  witnessed 
were  illiterate  fishermen,  obscure  husbandmen,  and  mechanics, 


IGO 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


taken  from  the  lower  walks  of  life.  Compare  the  preaching, 
and  the  effects  of  the  preaching  of  George  Whitfield,  with  that 
of  George  Fox.  The  former,  with  all  his  eloquence  and  popu- 
larity, was  ohliged  to  acknowledge  :  "  I  have  carried  high  sail 
while  running  through  a  torrent  of  popularity  and  contempt ; 
I  may  have  mistaken  nature  for  grace,  imagination  for  revela- 
tion, and  the  fire  of  my  own  temper  for  the  flame  of  holy  zeal ; 
and  I  find  I  have  frequently  written  and  spoken  in  my  own 
spirit,  when  I  thought  I  Avas  assisted  entirely  by  God." — 
(Watson's  Annals,  p.  517.) 

1724. — "  We  tenderly  recommend  to  faithful  Friends,  and 
especially  to  ministers  and  elders,  to  watch  over  the  flock  of 
Christ,  in  their  respective  places  and  stations  ;  always  approv- 
ing themselves,  by  their  holy  examples  in  conversation  and  con- 
duct, to  be  such  as  faithfully,  and  diligently  walk  up  to  the 
testimony  of  the  blessed  Truth,  whereunto  the  Lord  hath 
gathered  us,  in  this  his  Gospel  day." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1727.  — "  John  Stackhouse,  at  a  by-past  Monthly  Meeting, 
and  again  at  this  meeting,  hath  made  application  for  a  few 
lines,  by  way  of  certificate,  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Mini- 
sters and  Elders,"  &c. — (Middletown  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1728.  — "Whereas  Friends  of  Horsham,  Germantown,  and 
Abington  Preparative  Meetings  have  signified  to  this  Monthly 
Meeting  that  John  Cadwalader,  Jr.,  David  Dawes,  Isaac  Davis, 
and  Thomas  Wood  are  come  forth,  and  appear  in  public  testi- 
mony, and  that  they  have  good  unity  with  them,  desiring  that 
they  may  be  recommended  to  the  next  Quarterly  Meeting  of 
ministers  at  Philadelphia  ;  which  this  meeting  approves  of,"  &c. 
— (Abington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

It  appears,  from  the  above  minute,  that  Friends  of  Philadel- 
phia Quarter,  and  perhaps  others,  had  adopted  the  same  rule 
as  that  of  Bucks  (see  above,  1712),  prior  to  any  action  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting  in  the  premises,  as  set  forth  in  the  following 
minute. 


MINISTRY. 


lei 


1730. — "  It  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting  (as  it  hath  been  tlio 
practice  of  Friends  for  several  years  past),  that  any  person 
coming  forth,  or  offering  themselves  in  the  ministry,  be  ap- 
proved of  iu  the  Monthly  Meeting  to  which  he  or  she  doth 
belong,  and  by  them  be  recommended,  before  they  are  permit- 
ted to  sit  in  the  Meetings  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  or  to  travel 
abroad  in  the  ministry." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

It  ^vill  be  observed,  that  by  the  foregoing  rule,  the  Monthly 
Meetings  were  made  the  sole  judges  of  the  propriety  of 
recommending  young  ministers. 

About  this  period,  Monthly  Meetings  sometimes  reported 
the  state  of  the  ministry  to  the  General  Quarterly  Meetings  : 
thus : — 

1738. — "  As  to  the  state  of  the  ministry  ;  those  concerned 
therein  are  generally  in  love  and  unity  with  us,  and  one 
with  another  :  are  diligent  in  attending  meetings,  and  their 
public  testimony  mostly  well  accepted." — (Burlington  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1743. — "  Whereas  our  friends,  Peter  Andrews,  John  Wool- 
man,  and  Josiah  White,  have  had  at  times  a  concern  on  their 
minds  to  appear  in  public,  by  way  of  exhortation  to  religious 
duties  ;  whose  appearances  are  generally  well  received  :  where- 
fore a  motion  was  made  here,  that  they  might  be  recommended 
to  sit  in  the  Meetings  of  Ministers  and  Elders  ;  and  they 
are  hereby  accordingly  recommended." — (Burlington  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1746. — "  This  meeting  recommends  James  Crucs,  as  a 
member  of  the  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders." — (Chester- 
field Monthly  Meeting.) 

1746. — "  Whereas  D  S  hath  frequently  appeared 

in  our  Meetings  by  way  of  testimony,  to  the  great  dissatisfac- 
tion of  Friends,  notwithstanding  the  many  precautions  and 
labors  of  love,  which  have  pi'oved  ineffectual ;  therefore  we 
disown  her  to  be  of  our  Society,  until  she,  by  unfeigned  repent- 

11 


162 


RETROSPECT  OP  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


ance,  comes  to  amend  her  ways  ;  which  that  she  may,  is  our 
sincere  desire. 

"  Signed  on  behalf  of  our  said  meeting. 

"  James  Miller, 

(New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1747. — "  This  meeting  agrees  that  Grace  Crosdale  may  be 
recommended  to  sit  in  the  Meetings  of  Ministers  and  Elders." 
Also,  "  that  Stephen  Comfort  be  recommended,"  in  like  manner. 
— (Middletown  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1747. — "ThatAvhen  the  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders, 
within  the  verge  of  which  such  young  ministers  may  appear, 
shall  be  desirous  of  having  them  admitted  to  their  meeting, 
the  same,  by  their  direction  [may]  be  signified,  by  one  of  the 
elders,  or  other  weighty  Friend,  to  the  Monthly  Meeting,  for 
their  consent  and  approbation." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

In  a  collection  of  advices  sent  down  by  the  Yearly  Meeting 
this  year,  after  repeating  that  of  1730,  as  rendered  above, 
the  foregoing  advice  was  appended  thereto.  It  goes  no  further 
than  to  allow  Meetings  of  Ministers  and  Elders  to  propose 
young  ministers  to  Monthly  Meetings,  for  their  approval  and 
recommendation. 

1751. — "At  this  meeting  was  considered  the  case  of  Samuel 
Eastburn's  appearing  in  the  ministry,  for  some  time  ;  and  the 
meeting  is  free  that  he  be  recommended  to  the  Meeting  of 
Ministers  by  the  elders,  as  usual." — (Buckingham  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1755. — "  It  is  unanimously  agreed  that,  in  such  places  where 
Monthly  Meetings  of  Ministers  and  Elders  have  not  been  al- 
ready settled,  they  ought,  without  further  delay,  to  be  estab- 
lished ;  and,  agreeably  to  the  rules  of  our  discipline,  that  solid 
women  elders  should  be  appointed  to  sit  therein.  And  the 
following  queries  were  agreed  to  be  proposed  at  such  meeting  : 

"  I.  Are  ministers  and  elders  careful  duly  to  attend  all  their 
meetings  for  worship  and  discipline,  bringing  with  them  as 


MINISTRY. 


163 


many  of  their  families  as  they  can  ?  and  are  they  good  exam- 
ples in  humble  waiting  therein,  not  giving  way  to  drowsiness  ? 

"  II.  Are  ministers  sound  in  word  and  doctrine,  careful  to 
minister  in  the  ability  God  only  gives,  and  thereby  kept  from 
burdening  the  living? 

"  III.  Are  the  lives  and  conversation  of  ministers  and  elders 
clean  and  blameless  amongst  men,  adorning  the  doctrines  they 
deliver  to  others,  being  examples  of  the  believers  in  word,  in 
conversation,  in  charity,  in  spirit,  in  faith,  in  purity  ? 

"  IV.  Do  they  rule  their  own  houses  well,  bringing  their 
families  up  in  plainness,  which  Truth  still  requires,  in  dress,  lan- 
guage, and  true  moderation  ?  and  are  they  good  examples  in 
these  respects  themselves  ? 

"  V.  Are  they  peacemakers  in  families  and  in  the  Church, 
not  concerned  in  raising  or  spreading  evil  reports  against  any : 
nor  busy-bodies  where  they  have  no  proper  business  ? 

"  VI.  Are  they  careful  to  maintain  the  discipline  of  the 
Church  in  every  part  thereof;  not  to  hide  even  their  own  fami- 
lies from  Truth's  judgment,  if  occasion  be  given,  but  impar- 
tially administer  justice  as  faithful  servants  in  the  house  of  God? 

"  VII.  Do  any  travel  abroad  as  ministers  without  being  first 
recommended  to  and  accepted  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting  they 
belong  to,  as  such  ?  and  do  any  appoint  meetings  out  of  the 
limits  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting  they  belong  to,  without  a  cer- 
tificate from  their  Monthly  Meeting  of  business,  or  the  concur- 
rence thereof? 

"VIII.  Are  ministers  and  elders  in  unity  one  with  another, 
and  with  the  meetings  they  belong  to,  harmoniously  laboring 
together  for  Truth's  honor,  and  careful  to  give  no  just  occasion 
of  offence  to  either  Jew,  Gentile,  or  the  Household  of  Faith  ? 

"IX.  Do  you  watch  over  one  another  for  good;  to  help 
those  that  are  young  in  the  ministry  in  the  right  line ;  dis- 
couraging forward  spirits  that  run  into  words  without  life  and 
power  ;  advising  against  affectations  of  tones  and  gestures,«and 
everything  which  would  hurt  their  service ;  yet  encouraging  the 
humble,  careful  traveller,  speaking  a  word  in  due  season  to  them 


164 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


that  are  ■\vcary?  And  let  all  dwell  in  that  Avhich  gives  ability 
to  labor  in  the  Church  of  Christ." 

1756. — "  This  meeting  now  appoints  a  Meeting  of  Ministers 
and  Elders  to  be  held  quarterly  at  Burlington,  &c.,  agreeably 
to  the  advice  of  the  Yearly  Meeting." — (Burlington  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1756. — "  Pursuant  to  the  direction  of  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
this  meeting  allows  the  ministers  and  elders  to  meet  at  New 
Garden  Meeting-house,  on  the  second  fifth-day  of  next  month, 
and  make  return  to  next  Monthly  Meeting  the  appointment  of 
said  meetings  for  the  future." — (New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1756. — "  It  is  recommended  from  our  Yearly  Meeting  to 
have  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  established ; 
which,  after  some  considerable  time  of  consideration,  we  con- 
sent to,"  &c. — (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  above  Monthly  Meeting  recommended  to  its  prepara- 
tives, "also  to  nominate  a  weighty  and  solid  man  Friend  in 
each  meeting  as  assistant  to  the  elders."  No  explanation  ap- 
pears of  this  procedure,  unless  it  be  found  in  the  records  of 
Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting  for  the  eighth  month,  1757. 

"  The  Monthly  Meetings  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  being  new 
to  several  Monthly  Meetings,  and  several  Friends  can  hardly 
approve  of  them,  imagining  they  lessen  the  authority  of  the 
Monthly  Meetings  of  business,  we  think  that  an  explanation  of 
the  extent  of  their  authority,  their  service,  and  the  manner  how 
the  reports  should  go  up  from  them  to  the  superior  meetings, 
would  be  of  service  to  settle  those  that  are  dissatisfied,  in  set- 
tling the  said  meetings  in  one  method  throughout  the  limits  of 
the  Yearly  Meeting,  if  it  was  to  come  down  by  the  authority 
thereof;"  which  was  sent  to  the  Quarter. 

Two  years  after,  the  Select  Meeting  informed  the  Monthly 
Meeting  that  there  was  still  a  dissatisfaction  with  them,  and 
requested  that  it  might  be  sent  to  the  Quarter  again,  with  the 


MINISTRY. 


165 


I 

view  of  being  brought  before  the  Yearly  Meeting.  It  is  thus 
minuted  : — 

1700. — "  There  continues  an  uneasiness  respecting  some 
parts  of  the  constitution  of  the  Meetings  of  Ministers  and 
Elders,  therefore  [we]  desire  the  concurrence  of  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  to  make  application  to  the  Yearly  Meeting,  concerning 
ministers  answering  for  their  own  conduct  and  performance,  for 
amendment,  viz. :  Where  ministers  and  elders  are  uneasy  with 
the  present  practice  in  that  respect,  then,  and  in  such  case, 
they  may  have  liberty  to  apply  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  for 
assistance,  and  the  Monthly  Meeting  to  have  authority  to  ap- 
point a  number  of  solid  Friends  to  sit  in  those  Select  Meetings, 
and  assist  in  that  weighty  work  of  representing  the  state  of 
the  above  Friends  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting." — (Chesterfield 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

In  1765,  the  Queries  for  Ministers  and  Elders  were  revised, 
and  the  number  reduced  to  seven,  the  excluded  matter  being 
put  in  form  of  advices,  to  be  read  in  the  meetings. 

1765. — "And  it  is  earnestly  and  affectionately  recommended, 
that  ministers  and  elders  watch  over  one  another  for  good ;  to 
help  those  that  are  young  in  the  ministry  in  the  right  line  ; 
discouraging  forward  spirits  that  run  into  words  without  life 
and  power ;  advising  against  affectation  of  tones  and  gestures, 
and  everything  that  would  hurt  their  service  ;  yet  encouraging 
the  humble,  careful  traveller,  speaking  a  word  in  season  to 
them  that  are  weary ;  and  let  all  dwell  in  that  which  gives 
ability  to  labor  successfully  in  the  Church  of  Christ,  adorning 
the  doctrine  they  deliver  to  others,  being  examples  of  the  be- 
lievers, in  word,  in  conversation,  in  charity,  in  spirit,  in  faith, 
and  in  purity." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1769. — "A  minute  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders  was  received  and  read  in  this  meeting,  informing  that 
they  apprehend  it  may  be  of  use  to  have  queries  suitably 
adapted  to  their  meeting.  William  Edmondson,  Joseph  Berry, 


1G6 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


Joseph  Bartlet,  and  Isaac  Dixon  are  appointed  to  prepare 
essays  for  said  purpose,  and  produce  them  to  next  meeting." — 
(Thirdhaven  Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  Queries  were  essentially  similar  to  those  already  given. 

177G. — A  complaint  was  made  against  Z  F  ,  "for 

publicly  opposing  a  Friend  in  unity,  in  his  ministry,  in  a  meet- 
ing for  worship." — (Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1785. — "New  Garden  Preparative  Meeting  have  had  under 
consideration  recommending  Dinah  Lamhorn  as  a  minister  to 
the  Select  Quarterly  Meeting ;  which,  coming  under  solid  con- 
sideration, Elizabeth  Pusey,  Hannah  Pusey,  Mary  Bulger,  and 
Elizabeth  Millhouse,  are  appointed  to  join  men  Friends,  to  take 
an  opportunity  with  her  to  deeply  feel  after  the  propriety  of 
such  a  movement,  and  report  to  our  next  meeting." — (New 
Garden  Monthly  Meeting  Women  Friends.) 

The  committee  reported,  "  that,  to  them,  the  service  ap- 
peared weighty,"  and  recommended  another  opportunity  with 
her.  The  following  month,  "  they  were  of  the  mind  her  case 
might  be  forwarded ;"  and  it  was  accordingly  done. 

The  prudence  and  deliberation  displayed  in  this  case  was 
not  unusual  in  those  days  on  similar  occasions,  and  must  have 
greatly  promoted  the  unity  and  mutual  confidence  so  essential 
to  the  well-being  of  religious  society. 

1797. — "  When  the  gifts  of  ministers  are  considered  and 
approved  by  a  Monthly  Meeting,  and  a  minute  thereof  for- 
warded to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  the 
sense  and  concurrence  of  that  meeting  ought  to  be  had  before 
such  minister  be  reputed  as  a  received  and  approved  minister, 
or  admitted  to  sit  in  the  Meetings  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  or 
travel  abroad  in  the  ministry." 

Again.  "  The  said  Meetings  of  Ministers  and  Elders  shall 
not,  in  any  wise,  take  upon  them,  or  interfere  with,  any  part 
of  the  exercise  of  the  discipline  of  the  Church  belonging  to 


MINISTRY. 


167 


the  Yearly  Meeting  for  Business,  or  any  subordinate  meeting 
for  discipline,  nor  adjourn  so  as  to  interfere  with  any  of  tho 
sittings  of  this  meeting." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

By  the  adoption  of  the  above  rule,  requiring  the  concurrence 
of  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  the  power 
of  Monthly  Meetings  to  recommend  ministers  was  greatly  cur- 
tailed, while  that  of  the  Select  Meeting  was  enlarged  in  the 
same  proportion. 

1806. — "  When  any  Friend  has  frequently  appeared  in  our 
religious  meetings  as  a  minister,  and  the  Preparative  Meeting 
of  Ministers  and  Elders  apprehends  that  it  is  seasonable  that 
the  subject  should  claim  the  attention  of  the  Monthly  Meeting 
for  Discipline  of  which  the  person  is  a  member,  they  are  at 
liberty  to  mention  the  matter  therein.  And  if  the  Monthly 
Meeting,  after  deliberate  consideration,  should  unite  in  believing 
that  a  gift  in  the  ministry  has  been  committed  to  him  or  her, 
a  minute,  expressive  thereof,  should  be  forwarded  to  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  where  the  case  being 
solidly  weighed,  and  the  sense  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  concur- 
red with,  information  thereof  should  be  sent  to  the  Preparative 
Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  of  which  the  party  is  to  be  a 
member ;  and,  until  the  approbation  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting 
of  Ministers  and  Elders  is  obtained,  no  such  Friend  is  to  be 
received  as  a  minister,  nor  permitted  to  sit  in  the  Meetings  of 
Ministers  and  Elders,  nor  travel  abroad  as  a  minister." — (Dis- 
cipline, 1806.) 

Sad  experience  has  long  taught  us  that  there  is  a  constant 
tendency  among  all  privileged  classes,  both  in  civil  and  reli- 
gious society,  to  extend  their  privileges,  to  the  hurt  and  op- 
pression of  the  communities  which  tolerate  them.  The  testi- 
mony has  gone  forth,  from  the  lips  of  many  martyrs,  that 
those  who  professed  to  be  ministers  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ 
■were  too  often  the  foremost  in  making  these  encroachments. 
Hence,  there  is  wisdom  in  guarding  every  avenue  which  may 


168 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


lead  to  a  violation  of  the  rights  of  the  people.  A  heaven- 
appointed  and  well-regulated  ministry  is  one  of  the  brightest 
ornaments  and  greatest  blessings  which  a  religious  society  can 
possess ;  while  a  self-constituted,  and  domineering  one,  is  the 
worst  form  of  tyranny  to  Avhich  man  can  be  subjected. 

Friends  will  ever  do  well  to  profit  by  a  world-wide  expe- 
rience, and  to  study  the  lessons  which  it  teaches.  Perhaps 
there  is  no  acknowledged  authority  in  our  Society  so  proper 
and  so  convenient  to  judge  of  the  qualifications  of  ministers 
as  the  Monthly  Meetings.  In  1730,  our  Yearly  Meeting 
decided,  "  that  any  person  coming  forth,  or  offering  themselves 
in  the  ministry,  be  approved  of  in  the  Monthly  Meeting  to 
which  he  or  she  doth  belong,  and  by  them  be  recommended," 
&c.    The  power  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  was  then  absolute. 

In  1747,  it  vfas  directed,  "  that,  when  the  Meeting  of  Minis- 
ters and  Elders  shall  be  desirous  of  having  them  admitted  to 
their  meeting,  the  same,  by  their  direction,  be  signified  to  the 
Monthly  Meeting  for  their  consent  and  approbation."  Here 
the  power  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  was  made  to  depend,  in  the 
first  instance,  on  the  desire  of  the  Meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders. 

But,  in  1797,  it  was  further  ordained  that,  when  a  minute 
of  such  consent  and  approbation  of  a  Monthly  Meeting  shall 
be  "forwarded  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders,  the  sense  and  concurrence  of  that  meeting  ought  to  be 
had  before  such  minister  be  reputed  as  a  received  and  approved 
minister."  And  the  same  rules  were  embodied  in  the  Discipline 
of  1806,  and  are  still  maintained.  It  will  be  readily  seen  that 
the  recommendation  of  ministers  is  now  placed  entirely  in  the 
Select  Preparative  and  Quarterly  Meetings,  with  the  single 
exception  that  Monthly  Meetings  have  the  negative  power  left 
to  refuse  to  concur  with  the  recommendation  of  the  Select 
Preparative.  If  the  latter  meeting  does  not  see  proper  to 
introduce  the  case,  or  if  the  Select  Quarter  refuses  to  approve 
the  recommendation,  the  Monthly  Meeting  is  altogether  power- 
less. 

It  seems  to  be  a  common  usage  of  society,  that,  when  a 


ELDERS. 


169 


minister  transgresses  the  order,  and  falls  under  the  cognizance 
of  a  Meeting  of  Discipline,  that  he  or  she  thereby  forfeits  the 
previous  recommendation ;  but  when  such  minister  has  become 
burdensome,  and  appears  to  have  lost  liis  gift  in  the  ministry, 
the  rule  is  different. 

The  power  to  approve,  certainly  implies  the  power  also  to 
disapprove.  Hence  the  time  was  when  Monthly  Meetings 
could  release  their  ministers  by  withdrawing  their  recommen- 
dations. They  no  longer  possess  that  power.  The  case  must 
first  be  taken  up  by  the  Select  Preparative  Meeting,  carried 
thence  to  the  Select  Quarter,  and,  when  there  determined,  be 
sent  down  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  for  its  further  care ;  "  and 
he  or  she  ought,  from  that  time,  to  refrain  from  attending  any 
such  Select  Meetings,  until  they  shall  be  again  recommended  or 
appointed,  as  at  first."  Hence  it  follows  that  the  Select  Pre- 
parative and  Quarterly  Meetings  possess  the  absolute  and  un- 
controllable power  to  deprive  any  of  its  members  of  their  re- 
commendation as  ministers,  before  any  action  has  been  had  in 
the  Monthly  Meeting.  The  only  safeguard  left  to  the  Monthly 
Meetings  will  be  found  in  the  judicious  appointment  of  elders. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

ELDERS. 

The  term  Elder  has  long  been  applied  to  those  of  riper  years 
and  more  knowledge  and  experience  in  conducting  the  affairs 
of  the  Church ;  but  we  now  come  to  use  it  in  a  more  specific 
sense.  This  is  the  earliest  proposition  for  the  appointment  of 
elders. 

1714. — "  This  meeting  requests,  that  the  Quarterly  Meeting 
be  desired  to  request  the  Yearly  Meeting  to  order  the  Monthly 


170 


RETROSPECT  OP  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


Meetings,  to  choose  out  of  them  two  or  more  elderly  Friends 
out  of  each  meeting,  to  attend  the  Meetings  of  Ministering 
Friends." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

This  curiously  constructed  tautological  minute  was  probably 
predicated  upon,  and  partly  copied  from,  one  brought  up  by  a 
Preparative  Meeting. 

1714.—"  To  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  ^-c: 

"  Dear  Friends, — After  the  salutation  of  our  dear  love  to  you 
by  this,  you  may  understand  that  it  hath  been  moved  in  this 
meeting,  concerning  having  some  elders  appointed  by  each 
Monthly  Meeting,  that  are  not  concerned  in  public  testimony, 
to  sit  with  ministering  Friends  in  their  meetings ;  which  case 
we  have  considered,  and  are  of  opinion  that  it  would  be  of 
very  good  service,  and  refer  it  to  you,  for  your  consideration. 

"Signed  by  appointment  of  our  said  meeting,  by 

"James  Starr, 

Clerk.'' 

(Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1714. — "This  meeting  being  under  a  weighty  consideration 
of  the  service  that  may  be  in  some  select  elders  from  the 
Monthly  Meetings  being  appointed  to  sit  with  the  ministering 
Friends,  in  tlieir  Particular  Meetings,  in  order  to  be  assistant 
in  making  their  returns  to  their  Yearly  Meeting,  and  other 
matters  which  they  may  be  assistant  in,  it  is  the  mind  of  this 
meeting  that  the  representatives  do  lay  it  before  the  next 
Quarterly  Meeting,  for  further  consideration." — (Middletown 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1714. — Chester  (now  Concord)  Quarterly  Meeting,  proposed 
for  the  consideration  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  "  that  some 
elders,  or  ancient  Friends,  be  appointed  by  every  Monthly 
Meeting  to  sit  with  the  ministers  in  their  meetings." — (Con- 
cord Quarterly  Meeting.) 

1714.— "Middletown  Monthly  Meeting  hath  laid  before  this 
Meeting,  that  they  have  had  under  their  consideration  that  it 
may  be  of  service  that  there  be  select  members  chosen  out  of 


ELDERS. 


171 


each  Monthly  Meeting,  to  meet  and  sit  with  ministering 
Friends  in  their  respective  meetings.  This  meeting  has  taken 
it  into  consideration,  and  orders  that  it  be  laid  before  the 
Yearly  Meeting,  for  their  concurrence." — (Bucks  Quarterly 
Meeting.) 

1714.—"  This  meeting  agrees,  that  each  Monthly  Meeting 
(where  meetings  of  ministers  are,  or  may  be  held),  shall  appoint 
two  or  more  Friends,  to  sit  with  the  ministers  in  their  meetings  ; 
taking  care  that  the  Friends  chosen  for  that  service,  be  prudent, 
solid  Friends,  and  that  they  do  carefully  discharge  their  trust 
in  such  matters,  and  in  such  manner  as  the  Monthly  Meeting 
shall  from  time  to  time  see  occasion  to  appoint  them." — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 

1714. — "Thomas  Wickersham  and  Michael  Lightfoot  are 
appointed  to  sit  with  the  ministering  Friends  in  their  meet- 
ings."— (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1714. — Recommended  from  the  Yearly  Meeting,  "  that  it 
w^ould  be  of  service  to  Truth,  to  appoint  some  weighty,  honest 
Friends,  to  sit  with,  and  be  assisting  to,  the  ministering  Friends 
in  their  meetings.  Therefore,  this  meeting  appoints  William 
Blakey,  George  Clough,  Robert  Fletcher,  Joshua  Iloopes, 
Joseph  Fell,  and  Thomas  Watson,  Jr.,  for  that  service." — 
(Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1714. — "This  meeting  doth  appoint  Thomas  Baynes  and 
John  Penquite  (according  to  the  order  of  the  Yearly  Meeting), 
to  sit  with  the  ministers  in  their  meetings  ;  and  that  there  be 
a  new  election  every  year,  or  oftener  if  there  be  occasion." 

And  in  1715. — "  Adam  Harker  and  Stephen  Twining  are  ap- 
pointed to  sit  with  the  ministers  for  the  ensuing  year,  or  until 
others  be  appointed  in  their  stead." — (Middletown  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1717. — "  New  Garden  Preparative  Meeting,  have  offered 
Caleb  Pusey  to  sit  with  ministering  Friends  in  their  meetings 
(which  this  meeting  approves  of),  instead  of  Michael  Lightfoot." 
— (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1719. — "  Friends  having  concluded  at  this  meeting  to  make 
choice  of  some  Friends  to  attend  the  meetings  of  our  minister- 


172 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


ing  Friends,  have  chosen, — for  Oxford  Meeting,  Edmund  Orp- 
■ffood ;  for  Germantown,  Peter  Shoemaker ;  for  Abington, 
Morris  Morris ;  for  Byberry,  Abel  Hinkson ;  and  for  Horsham, 
Richard  Kenderton, — (Abington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

And  in  1720,  "  It  is  agreed  that  Edward  Busby  do  give  his 
attendance  with  ministering  Friends  when  they  do  meet  quar- 
terly. 

And  in  1722,  "Joseph  Elgar  is  chosen  to  accompany  minis- 
tering Friends  in  their  Quarterly  Meetings." 

1723. — "  This  meeting  hath  thought  fit  to  appoint  our 
Friends  and  elders,  Richard  French  and  Benjamin  Blake,  and 
request  that  they  will  meet  with  our  several  meetings  of  minis- 
tering Friends  held  at  Burlington,  at  the  times  agreed  to  by 
the  General  Meeting  of  Ministering  Friends." — (Chesterfield 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1738. — "  This  meeting  thinks  proper  to  answer  the  Quarterly 
Meeting's  request,  to  desire  the  Overseers  of  each  Particular 
Meeting  to  think  of  some  Friends  that  will  be  proper  to  serve 
as  elders  to  sit  in  the  Meeting  of  Ministers." — (Burlington 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1740. — "  This  meeting  being  informed  that  doubts  have 
arisen  concerning  the  intent  of  the  minute  of  1714,  about  the 
appointment  of  elders  to  sit  Avith  ministers  in  their  meetings, — 
this  meeting,  for  the  removing  thereof,  declares  it  as  their 
opinion,  it  ought  to  be  understood  to  extend  to  the  appointment 
of  prudent,  solid  women  Friends,  as  well  as  men." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

1778. — "This  meeting  having,  some  time  ago,  recommended 
to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  Hannah 
Carter  as  an  elder,  do  now  discontinue  her  from  being  a  mem- 
ber thereof." — (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1782.  — "  Birmingham  Preparative  Meeting  proposes  our 
friend,  Hannah  Carter,  being  reinstated  in  the  station  of  an 
elder  ;  which  was  done." — (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1783.  — "  The  committee  appointed  to  join  with  the  members 
of  the  Select  Meeting,  to  consider  of  suitable  persons  to  name 
for  elders,  report,"  &c.— (Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 


KLDEKS. 


173 


The  last  minute  is  of  so  extraordinary  a  character  as  to  chiim 
the  special  consideration  of  the  reader. 

1786. — '-London  Grove  Preparative  Meeting  proposes  Han- 
nah Pusey  for  an  elder,  to  sit  with  Friends  in  their  Select  Meet- 
ings ;  which  coming  under  solid  consideration,  Ann  Lamborn, 
Susanna  ILirlan,  Mary  Swayne,  Jr.,  and  Hannah  Jackson,  are 
appointed  to  join  men  Friends,  to  take  a  solid  opportunity  with 
her,  and  report  their  sense  to  next  meeting:"  when  "they 
were  of  the  mind  her  case  might  be  forwarded;"  which  was 
accordingly  done. 

The  many  advantages  resulting  from  a  well-regulated  minis- 
try, sustained,  or  restrained,  as  occasion  may  require,  by 
"prudent  and  solid  Friends  chosen  for  that  service,"  is  un- 
questionable. But  such  is  "  frail  humanity,"  that  there  is 
scarcely  an  authoritative  body  in  any  association  of  men,  who 
do  not,  sooner  or  later,  require  a  check  to  the  encroachments 
of  their  power.  It  seems,  therefore,  unwise  for  society  to  let 
go  its  means  to  control  this  mischievous  tendency  in  every  de- 
partment of  its  organization.  We  hope  none  will  conclude  that 
when  once  appointed  to  the  station  of  elders,  they  are  placed 
beyond  the  reach  of  Monthly  Meetings;  for  if  such  meetings 
have  a  purpose  to  fulfil  by  the  appointment,  they  certainly  are 
competent  to  inquire  whether  that  purpose  has  been  fulfilled, 
and  to  take  all  necessary  measures  for  its  accomplishment,  and 
it  is  their  duty  to  do  so.  Nor  do  we  find  any  authority  upon 
our  records  for  the  assumption  that  Monthly  Meetings  cannot 
release  its  elders,  whenever  they  may  have  lost  their  service  in 
the  Church.  The  functions  of  an  elder  may  be  so  exercised  as 
to  do  much  good  or  much  harm.  If  fitly  chosen  and  rightly 
qualified,  they  will  feel  it  to  be  an  incumbent  duty  to  "  take 
the  oversight  of  the  flock  of  Christ,  not  by  constraint,  but 
willingly ;  not  as  lords  over  God's  hei-itage,  but  as  good  ex- 
amples :  to  help  the  weak,  confirm  the  feeble-minded,  and  labor 
to  gather  the  scattered,  and  the  other  sheep  not  yet  of  Christ's 
fold,  under  him,  the  one  Shepherd ;  when,  being  fed  in  the 


1T4 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


pastures  of  life,  they  may,  ■when  he  shall  appear,  receive  a 
crown  of  glory  thatfadeth  not  away." — (London  Epistle,  1727.) 

The  almost  absolute  power  given  to  the  Meetings  of  Mini- 
sters and  Elders,  either  to  rocomraend  or  to  release  ministers, 
is  certainly  liable  to  abuse,  and  when  abused  must  be  produc- 
tive of  the  most  disastrous  consequences.  Monthly  Meetings 
possess  the  means  of  preventing  this  abuse,  by  the  judicious 
selection  and  timely  change  of  their  elders.  It  is  perhaps  the 
most  important  appointment  they  are  required  to  make,  and 
the  duties  of  the  station  the  most  responsible  of  any  which 
society  imposes  upon  its  members. 

1829. — "  It  is  recommended  to  our  Monthly  Meetings  that 
a  committee  be  appointed  at  least  once  in  four  years,  and  as 
much  oftener  as  the  occasion  may  require,  to  consider  the  pro- 
priety of  changing  the  elders,  and  of  bringing  forward  well- 
qualified  Friends  to  fill  that  station." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 


CHAPTER  YII. 

DISCIPLINE. 

I  PROPOSE  to  give  sundry  advices  with  reference  to  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  Discipline,  together  with  such  testimonies 
and  acknowledgments  as  do  not  seem  to  have  any  more  appro- 
priate place. 

Under  the  difiiculties  of  immigration  into  a  remote  wilderness 
countrj^.  Friends  found  it  necessary  to  dispense  with  the  mere 
formalities  of  order  and  church  government,  and  in  a  more 
summary  way  to  establish  such  meetings  as  they  most  imme- 
diately felt  the  want  of.  Hence  the  first  meetings  for  disci- 
pline w^ere  Monthly  Meetings,  the  executive  branch  of  Society 
organization.  Their  knowledge  of  the  rules  observed  in  Eng- 
land, and  their  attention  to  the  pointings  of  Divine  Truth, 
naturally  led  them  into  the  same  order  of  procedure  therein. 


DISCIPLINE. 


175 


In  1G72,  William  Edmundson  appointed  a  "  Men's  Meeting" 
in  Virginia,  "  things  being  much  out  of  order  among  them ;" 
the  object  of  which  was,  "  to  lay  down  a  method  to  provide  for 
our  poor  widows  and  fatherless  children ;  to  take  care  that  no 
disorders  were  committed  in  our  Society  ;  and  that  all  lived 
orderly  according  to  what  they  professed." — (See  Journal, 
p.  71.) 

1675.  — "  It  is  our  judgment  and  testimony,  in  the  word  of 
God's  wisdom,  that  the  rise  and  practice,  setting  up  and  esta- 
blishment of  men's  and  women's  meetings  in  the  Church  of 
Christ,  in  this  our  generation,  is  according  to  the  mind  and 
counsel  of  God,  and  done  in  the  ordering  and  leading  of  his 
eternal  Spirit ;  and  that  it  is  the  duty  of  all  Friends  and  breth- 
ren in  the  power  of  God,  in  all  parts,  to  be  diligent  therein, 
and  to  encourage  and  further  each  other  in  that  blessed  work ; 
and  particularly  that  Friends  and  brethren,  in  their  respective 
counties,  encourage  their  faithful  and  grave  women  in  the  set- 
tlement of  the  said  meetings. 

"Advised  that  the  Church's  testimonies  and  judgments 
against  disorderly  and  scandalous  walkers,  as  also  the  condem- 
nations of  the  parties  restored,  be  recorded  in  the  respective 
Monthly  Meetings,  for  the  clearing  of  Truth,  Friends,  and  our 
holy  profession,  to  be  produced  and  published  by  Friends  for 
that  end  and  purpose,  so  far  only  as  in  God's  heavenly  wisdom 
they  shall  see  needful." — (London  Advices.) 

1676.  — "At  our  Man's  Meeting  at  Wenlock  Christison's, 
&c.,  it  was  concluded  by  the  meeting  that  the  meeting  at 
Belty's  Cove  should  be  to  ceil  the  gable-end  and  loft  with,  and 
clapboard,  and  make  a  partition  between  the  old  room  three 
feet  high,  ceiled,  and  with  windows  to  lift  up  and  down,  and  be 
hung  with  hinges,  according  to  the  discretion  of  Bryan  Omealy 
and  John  Pitts,  who  are  appointed  to  have  the  oversight  of  the 
same." — (Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1676. — "At  a  Man's  Meeting  at  John  Pitts's,  it  is  agreed 
that  John  Taylor  do  keep  Friends'  books,  and  write  the  con- 
cerns of  Friends  in  their  Men's  Meeting;  this  order  to  be 


176 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


entered  in  all  the  Monthly  Meeting  books,  day  of  month,  and 
account  of  all  things  Friends  were  concerned  in  ;  the  Friends' 
names  that  did  go  to  exhort  such  as  do  Avalk  disorderly ;  the 
answers  of  such  as  were  spoken  to,  and  also  the  time  set  down ; 
also  such  as  declare  their  intentions  of  marriage  ;  if  any  man 
or  woiuan  hunt  after  one  another,  and  then  leave  one  another 
and  go  to  others." — (Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1677. — "The  meeting  requested  Thomas  Taylor  to  write,  as 

from  them,  to  Q  W  ,  of  Sassafrax,  and  to  admonish 

and  exhort  him  to  keep  to  meetings,  they  understanding  his 
remissness  in  that  matter." — (Thirdhaven  Yearly  Meeting.) 

1681. — "It  is  ordered  by  this  meeting  that  henceforward 
there  bo  no  meeting  erected  or  altered,  before  the  knowledge 
and  consent  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  they  belong  to,  or  the 
Quarterl}''  Meeting." — (Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Only  two  months  previous  to  the  date  of  this  minute,  the 
Monthly  Meeting  "unanimously  agreed"  to  hold  a  Yearly 
Meeting  within  less  than  two  months  after  the  said  date,  and 
yet  assumed  to  make  a  rule  of  Discipline  for  the  establishment 
of  meetings. 

1684. — "At  a  Quarterly  Meeting  held  at  William  Biles's 

house,  &c.,  after  the  conclusion  of  the  meeting,  L  B  

brought  in  his  paper  of  condemnation  for  quarrelling  and  fight- 
ing with  some  of  his  servants ;  and,  at  his  request,  it  was  read 
and  accepted,  and  he  advised  to  read  it  according, — as  he  said 
it  had  been  on  his  mind,  both  in  the  meeting  and  court." — 
(Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

1686. — "  Some  discourse  hath  been  at  this  meeting,  touching 
such  as  hold  discourses,  either  private  or  public,  in  meetings  of 
business,  having  no  relation  to  the  business  on  hands,  and  run 
in  and  out,  to  the  annoyance  of  the  meeting.  It  is  ordered 
that  such  may  be  spoken  to,  as  a  warning,  that  Friends  may 
behave  themselves  decently  in  their  duty  towards  God  and 
man." 

"  It  is  also  agreed  that  the  men  and  women  meet  distinctly 


DISCIPLINE. 


177 


apart  from  one  another,  from  this  time." — (Abington  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1687. — "  Inasmuch  as  the  next  Quarterly  Meeting  and  Phila- 
delphia Fair  fall  both  on  one  day,  it  is  agreed  to  propose  the 
deferring  of  it  for  one  weet,  and  it  be  signified  to  Nesharaony 
Friends  for  their  concurrence." — (Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  Falls  and  Neshamony  Monthly  Meetings  then  consti- 
tuted Bucks  Quarter,  and  felt  competent  to  determine  the  time 
of  holding  it. 

1089. — "  Ordered,  that  all  belonging  to  this  meeting  shall 
come,  every  one,  a  day,  to  work  at  the  meeting-house  ;  and  that 
four  come  of  a  day,  until  the  work  be  done." — (Darby  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1691. — "  Whereas,  it  is  observed  that  divers  are  slack  and 

backward  in  coming  to  meetings, — as  W          C  ,  I  

B  ,  W          B  ,  and  their  wives, — it  is  agreed  that 

Joseph  Kirkbride  and  Richard  Hough  speak  to  them,  and  stir 
them  up  to  their  duty  therein  ;  and  that  Thomas  Janney  do 

speak  with  R  B  on  the  same  account." — (Falls  Monthly 

Meeting.) 

1691.  — "  It  is  ordered  that  Friends  of  the  Monthly  Meeting, 
for  time  to  come,  do  always  inspect  and  take  care  who  there 
be  that  stay  and  attend  the  meeting ;  to  the  intent  that  none 
that  are  of  an  airy  spirit  may  be  suffered  to  stay  there,  but 
that  they  may  be  spoke  to  (if  any  such  there  be)  by  some 
Friends  to  withdraw." — (Middletown  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1692.  — "This  meeting  is  informed  that  Avhat  is  said  in  the 
meeting  is  carried  abroad,  and  perverted  and  made  evil  use  of, 
which  is  a  grief  to  us,  and  causeth  Truth  to  be  evil  spoken  of ; 
therefore,  this  meeting  hath  taken  it  into  serious  consideration, 
and  have  ordered  Nicholas  Newlin  and  Nathaniel  Parke  to 
make  inquiry  who  the  person  is,  and  order  him  to  appear  at 
the  next  meeting." — (Concord  IMonthly  Meeting.) 

It  was  the  usual  custom  in  those  days  for  the  Monthly  Meet- 

12 


178 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


ing  to  require  the  attendance  of  offenders,  and  then  resolve 
itself  into  a  committee  of  the  whole,  to  treat  with  them.  Hence, 
ic  assumed  the  character  of  a  confidential  private  interview 
between  the  parties,  the  occurrences  of  which  could  not  with 
decency  and  propriety  be  divulged.  This  was,  no  doubt,  the 
reason  why  those  "of  an  airy  spirit"  were  excluded  from  the 
meetings. 

1693.  — "  It  is  ordered  by  this  meeting,  and  consent  of  the 
townships  of  Ilavcrford  and  Radnor,  in  pursuance  of  a  law  in 
that  case  made,  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  two  townships  should 
pay  one  shilling  in  the  hundred  towards  the  taking  of  wolves, — 
William  Howell  and  William  Jenkins,  for  Haverford,  and  David 
Meredith  and  Stephen  Bevan,  for  Radnor,  to  receive  the  said 
taxes." — (Radnor  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1694.  — "  We  are  sensible  one  great  hurt  is,  the  late  coming  to 
meetings.  And  that  all  that  walk  disorderly,  should  be  tenderly 
dealt  withal,  in  the  same  love  wherewithal  God  hath  loved  us  ; 
but,  if  they  cannot  be  reclaimed,  they  ought  to  be  denied,  and 
Truth  cleared.  So,  dear  Friends,  keep  your  meetings  in  the 
authority,  wisdom,  and  power  of  the  Truth,  and  unity  of  the 
blessed  Spirit,  and  endeavor  to  keep  out  all  contentions,  per- 
sonal reflections,  heats,  and  passions.  Let  all  be  done  in 
meekness,  and  the  God  of  peace  be  with  you." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

1698.  — This  meeting  desires  that  John  Stacy  may  be 
agreed  to  cover  this  meeting-house ;  and  John  Pemberton  has 
promised  300  30d  nails,  and  1000  received,  and  4000  lOd; 
and  Thomas  Edmundson  has  promised  to  give  timber  to 
cover  it." 

"John  Stacy  having  covered  and  ceiled  our  great  meeting- 
house, there  is  due  unto  him  2500  pounds  of  tobacco ;  which 
is  to  be  paid  as  follows  : 

"  Choptauk  500  lbs.,  Thirdhaven  1000  lbs.,  Bayside  500 
lbs.,  Tuckahoe  500  lbs."— (Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1699.  — "  The  meeting  having  under  consideration  the  in- 
decent sitting  and  settling  of  our  meetings,  doth  order,  that 


f 

DISCIPLINE. 


179 


public  Friends  do  sit  in  the  galleries,  and  the  elder  Friends 
with  them,  or  before  the  galleries  ;  and  that  our  women  Friends 
take  one  side  of  the  house,  and  the  men  the  other ;  and  that 
all  sit  with  their  faces  towards  the  galleries  ;  and  that  the 
meeting  be  kept  below,  and  a  fire  made  above,  for  such  as  are 
weak  through  sickness,  or  age,  or  otherwise,  to  warm  at,  and 
come  down  again  modestly;  and  keep  the  meeting  soberly, 
without  going  out  any  more  than  necessity  requires." — (Middle- 
town  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1701. — "  Advised,  that  all  meetings  orderly  established  be 
duly  attended,  both  on  first  and  week-days;  and  that  when  met, 
all  may  know  a  travail  and  right  exercise  of  mind,  which  will 
repel  and  drive  away  all  indisposition  ;  so  will  God  have  the 
worship  of  his  own  establishing,  Avhich  is  performed  in  his 
Spirit  and  Truth,  the  rewards  of  which  are  life  and  peace. 
But  those  that  give  way  to  a  heavy,  sleepy  spirit,  are  great 
lets  and  hindrances  to  the  work,  as  well  as  great  weights  and 
burdens  to  the  faithful,  and  are  giving  renewed  evidence  against 
themselves,  of  their  disregard  to  the  worship  of  God,  and  are 
doing  his  work  negligently." 

"Be  careful  that  those  meetings  whose  institution  was 
chiefly  for  the  necessary  order  and  discipline  of  the  Church,  be 
kept  in  that  authority  in  which  they  were  established  ;  the 
use  of  which  is  so  great,  that  we  cannot  but  earnestly  recom- 
mend it  to  your  care.  And  where  any  have  been  negligent,  or 
averse  to  promoting  the  service  of  those  meetings,  death  and 
carnality  have  manifestly  been  the  consequence." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

1701. — "The  greater  part  of  the  members  of  this  meeting 
being  called  away  upon  a  business  relating  to  the  government ; 
therefore  it  is  adjourned  until  to-morrow,  being  the  fifth  of 
this  month." — (Middletown  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  burden  and  responsibility  of  the  government  at  that 
time  rested  upon  Friends,  and  they  no  doubt  felt  it  to  be  a 
religious  duty  to  attend  to  the  proper  choice  of  persons  to  ad- 
minister it. 


180 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


1702. — "  This  meeting,  taking  into  consideration  the  sleepv, 
drowsy  spirit  that  attends  too  many  that  come  together  among 
us  to  worship  God  ;  in  a  true  concern  for  the  prosperity  of 
Truth,  and  as  much  as  may  be,  to  put  a  stop  to  sucli  things 
for  the  future,  it  is  ordered,  with  unanimous  consent,  that  each 
particukir  Friend  do  give  an  account  to  the  Monthly  Meeting 
how  things  have  been  with  them  for  the  month  past ;  and  when 
any  have  been  guilty,  to  admonish  them  to  take  more  care  for 
the  future ;  that  so  Truth  may  prosper  among  us,  and  the 
oppressed  be  eased." — (Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Cases  of  immoral  conduct  were  common  at  this  period,  which 
need  not  be  introduced  here  ;  but  it  is  worthy  of  remark, 
that  they  were  generally  among  those  who,  disregarding  the 
salutary  restraints  of  society,  were  in  the  practice  of  mingling 
Avith  and  following  the  fashions  and  customs  of  the  people  of 
the  world, — a  caution  which  should  not  be  neglected. 

1719. — "  Where  any,  professing  Truth,  are  guilty  of  any 
gross  or  notorious  crimes,  or  such  other  disorders  and  indecent 
practices  as  shall  give  or  occasion  public  scandal,  such,  after 
dealing  with  by  the  Overseers,  or  other  Friends,  as  advised 
and  directed,  if  they  are  brought  to  a  sense  thereof,  either  by 
such  dealing  or  by  compunction,  or  true  sight  in  themselves 
(which  is  more  commendable),  ought  to  appear  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible at  the  Monthly  Meeting  whereunto  he  or  she  belongs : 
and,  to  the  end  that  the  scandal  may  be  removed,  and  our  holy 
profession  cleared,  as  much  as  in  them  lies,  there  to  acknow- 
ledge the  offence,  and  condemn  the  same  in  writing,  under  his 
or  her  hand,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  said  meeting.  And  let 
such  acknowledgment  and  condemnation  be  published  by  the 
said  meeting  in  such  manner  as  that  it  may  probably  reach  as 
far,  and  become  as  public,  as  the  offence  hath  been.  And  when 
any  offender  refuseth  so  to  acknowledge  and  condemn  the 
fault,  then  the  said  meeting  ought  speedily  to  testify,  upon 
record,  against  him  or  her,  and  the  fact,  and  publish  such  tes- 


DISCIPLINE. 


181 


tiniony,  so  far  ;is  shall  appear  requisite  for  the  clearing  of 
Truth. 

"But  if  the  offence  committed  be  only  against  the  Church, 
and  not  of  public  scandal,  in  that  case,  acknowledgment  and 
condemnation  by  the  party  under  hand,  and  the  same  entered 
in  the  Monthly  Meeting  book  only,  is  sufBcient,  without  further 
publication.  And,  upon  the  offender's  refusing  so  to  do,  the 
meetino;  ou2;ht,  after  deliberate  dealino;  and  due  admonition, 
to  testify  against  them,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  offence, 
and  enter  the  same  on  their  own  minutes,  whereby  such  per- 
sons stand  disowned,  until  they  shall  repent  and  give  satisfac- 
tion." 

1719. — "  Advised  that  such  be  dealt  with  as  frequently 
neglect  and  do  not  in  due  time  attend  meetings, — those  on 
week-days,  as  well  as  those  on  first-days, — but  stay  away  on 
light,  trivial,  or  ordinary  occasions,  and  stir  them  up  to  more 
diligence, — a  constant,  or  frequent  neglect  thereof,  being  a 
mark  of  declension  ;  and,  when  it  becomes  remarkable,  such 
ought  to  be  dealt  with  and  admonished  the  more  earnestly." — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 

1719. — "Agreed,  that  no  Quarterly  Meeting  be  set  up  or 
laid  down,  without  the  consent  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  ;  no 
Monthly  Meeting,  without  the  consent  of  the  Quarter  ;  nor 
any  Preparative,  or  other  meeting  for  business  or  Avorship, 
without  application  of  the  respective  Monthly  Meeting  to, 
and  having  the  consent  of,  the  Quarterly  Meeting. 

"  These  meetings  are  subordinate  and  accountable  thus : 
the  Preparative  to  the  Monthly ;  the  Monthly  to  the  Quar- 
terly ;  and  the  Quarterly  to  the  Y'^early  Meeting.  So  that,  if 
the  Yearly  Meeting  be  at  any  time  dissatisfied  with  the  pro- 
ceedings of  any  of  the  Quarterly  Meetings,  or  a  Quarterly 
Meeting  with  the  proceedings  of  any  Monthly  Meeting,  or  a 
Monthly  Meeting  with  any  Preparative  within  their  respective 
limits,  such  meeting  or  meetings  ought,  with  readiness  and 
meekness,  to  render  a  S|tisfactory  account  accordingly. 

"  And,  because  many  inconveniencies  and  delays  havo  hap- 
pened, where  Friends,  whose  duty  it  is  or  who  have  been 


182 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


appointed  to  attend  Monthly,  Quarterly,  or  Yearly  Meetings, 
or  where  any  have  been  chosen  to  end  differences,  or  to  do 
any  service  in  or  on  behalf  of  said  meeting;  it  is,  therefore, 
earnestly  desired  and  advised  by  this  meeting,  that  all  Friends 
do  carefully  attend  such  meetings  and  services. 

"  And,  when  any  Friends  who  stand  appointed  do  come  and 
sit  down  in  any  of  the  said  meetings  of  business,  that  they  do 
not  withdraw  from  or  leave  the  same  until  the  business  is  fin- 
ished ;  unless  they  first  give  the  meeting  a  satisfactory  reason 
for  so  doing. 

"And,  when  any  are  appointed  to  any  service,  that  they 
cheerfully  and  carefully  attend  the  same,  unless  prevented  by 
sickness  or  other  extraordinary  occasion,  of  which  either 
themselves  or  some  Friend,  at  their  request,  ought  to  render 
to  the  said  meeting  a  satisfactory  account." — (Yearly  Meet- 

1721. — "Advised,  that  Friends  keep  all  our  meetings  in 
the  wisdom  of  God  and  unity  of  His  blessed  spirit,  wherein 
they  were  created  and  settled ;  and  continue  your  godly  care 
and  service  therein,  for  the  good  ends  for  which  they  were 
first  instituted.  And  keep  all  contentions,  reflections,  and 
smitings  out  of  your  meetings ;  and  keep  down  and  out  of 
all  heats,  and  passions,  and  doubtful  disputations  ;  and  suffer 
no  turbulent,  quarrelsome,  contentious  persons  among  you  in 
ordering  the  affairs  of  Truth,  that  they  may  be  managed  in 
the  peaceable,  tender  spirit  and  wisdom  of  Jesus  Christ,  with 
decency,  forbearance,  love,  and  charity  towards  each  other. 
....  That  so  we  may  all  walk  by  the  same  rule,  and  every 
one  come  up  in  their  respective  duties  and  proper  services  in 
the  Church  of  Christ.  And,  while  we  do  so  act  with  love  and 
freedom,  no  person  or  meeting  hath  reason  or  can  have  occa- 
sion to  set  up  different  orders;  because  we  all  seek  and  aim  at 
the  best  things.  If,  at  any  time,  there  should  be  found  cause 
for  further  consideration  on  any  point  or  practice  of  discipline, 
and  it  shall  be  regularly  brought  into  the  Yearly  Meeting,  it 
is  not  to  be  doubted  but  their  weight  and  concurrence  will  be 
had  therein,  whenever  it  shall  be  seen  to  be  of  benefit,  in  that 


DISCIPLINE. 


183 


wisdom  which  the  Lord  may  afford  and  will  always  give  to  his 
Church,  as  they  seek  it  rightly." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1722.  — "  W  B          appeared  and  delivered  a  paper 

condemning  his  forepast  actions,  which  was  accepted;  and  the 

said  W         B  is  ordered  to  be  present  at  the  reading  of 

the  said  paper  in  two  public  meetings, — the  one  at  New  Gar- 
den, the  other  at  Nottingham." — (New  Garden  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1723.  — "  Some  members  of  our  Monthly  Meeting  have  been 
so  disorderly  as  to  carry  some  discourse  out  of  our  last 
Monthly  Meeting,  and  wrest  it  in  discourse  with  others  that 
are  not  members  of  this  meeting.  Therefore,  each  Prepara- 
tive Meeting  is  desired  to  take  care,  in  their  quarters,  to  find 
out  the  disorderly  person  or  persons,  and  bring  them  to  the 
next  Monthly  Meeting,  to  give  an  account  of  themselves." 
— (New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1724.  — "Advised,  that  Friends,  in  meetings  for  business, 
watch  over  their  own  spirits,  that  no  indecent  warmth  get  in, 
■whereby  the  understanding  may  be  hurried  and  hindered  from 
a  regular  judgment  on  the  affair  before  the  meeting  ;  so  that  it 
may  be  seen  by  all  that  the  restoring  spirit  of  meekness  and 
Christian  love  abounds,  before  church  censure  comes,  and 
that  a  Gospel  spirit  is  the  spring  and  motive  to  all  our  per- 
formances, as  well  in  discipline  as  worship." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1725.  — "A  W  hath  allowed  his  daughter  to  lodge 

a  considerable  time  in  one  house  with  N  R  ,  without 

any  other  in  the  house  with  them,  which  hath  produced  very 
bad  effects  ;  and  this  meeting,  considering  the  carelessness  of 

the  said  A  ,  thinks  we  can  do  no  less  than  desire  him  to 

forbear  cominn;  to  meetings  for  business,  until  Friends  are 
better  satisfied  of  his  sincerity  to  the  Truth  and  the  care  of  his 
family." — (New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1726.  — "Advised,  that  Friends,  in  their  respective  Quarterly 
and  Monthly  Meetings,  as  they  find  occasion,  do  cause  former 
epistles,  or  extracts  of  such  parts  of  them  as  regards  any  grow- 
ing or  rising  evil,  to  be  read  in  the  Youth's  Meetings,  particu- 


184 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


lavly  those  given  forth  in  the  ye<ars  1721,  1722,  1723/' — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 

1727. — "Tlic  Preparative  of  Newark  presents  Joseph  Un- 
derwood, to  have  the  privilege  to  sit  in  our  Meetings  for  Disci- 
pline, -which  is  allowed." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1729. — "  Sadsbury  Preparative  Meeting  complained  of  J  

H          and  his  wife,  for  spreading  a  report  of  young  J  

M  's  wife,  as  though  she  were  drunk.    The  Friends  of  that 

meeting  did  inspect  it,  and  do  not  find  that  it  is  true.  The 

said  J  H  and  his  wife  stand  still  in  the  vindication  of 

their  report,  which  seems  to  be  the  effect  of  envy.  Therefore 
this  meeting  appoints,"  &c. 

Two  months  after.    "  The  Friends  that  were  appointed  to 

speak  to  J  H  and  his  wife,  have  given  an  account 

that  they  hope  things  are  pretty  well  settled." — (New  Garden 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1739. — "  It  is  agreed  that  persons  who  have  committed  any 
public  offence,  that  when  they  offer  satisfaction  to  the  meeting 
they  bring  in  the  papers  themselves." — (Chesterfield  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1739. — "R          T          acknowledges  that  he  hath  joined 

himself  to  another  Society,  and  thinks  that  he  shall  not  come 
to  our  meetings  any  more.  Therefore  this  meeting  doth  esteem 

the  said  II  to  be  no  member  of  our  Society." — (Concord 

Monthly  Meeting.) 

1739. — "The  Friends  appointed  to  visit  those  Friends  who 
have  been  remarkable  for  neglecting  our  meetings  for  worship 
an  (;  discipline,  report,  that  they  have  visited  several  of  them ; 
and  to  some  it  seems  a  matter  of  indifferency,  and  to  others  a 
matter  of  principle,  not  so  to  assemble.  The  latter  argue 
much  for  an  inward  retirement  of  mind,  and  express,  in  words, 
great  attainments  therein.  But  this  meeting,  judging  it  our 
Christian  duty,  as  well  as  commendable  and  profitable  practice, 
to  be  dilijjent  in  the  assembling  of  ourselves  together,  in  order 
to  concur  with  our  persons,  as  well  as  our  spirits,  in  waiting 
upon  God,  and  worshipping  him  in  the  immediate  movings  and 
drawings  of  his  Spirit,  and  for  maintaining  a  joint  and  visible 


DISCIPLINE. 


185 


fellowship,  and  bearing  an  outward  testimony  for  God.  And 
Ave  have  a  testimony  in  our  hearts  against  that  spirit  ■\yhich 
leads  ITS  from  assembling  ourselves  together  for  the  purposes 
aforesaid.    Therefore,"  &c. — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Those  persons  were  finally  disowned.  How  similar  is  the 
situation  of  some  in  our  day  ?  They  argue  for  "  inward  retire- 
ment," and  express  "great  attainments  therein;"  but,  like 
them,  they  neglect  assembling  together,  "as  a  formality  not 
wortliy  of  their  compliance." 

1740. — "  Concord  and  Birmingham  Preparative  Meetings 

complain  against  some  of  our  young  Friends,  viz.,  I  G  , 

G  G  ,  S          P  ,  Jr.,  T          I  ,  and  I  

B  ,  for  assenting  and  assisting  to  a  forward  and  unadvised 

action,  in  going  to  correct  a  man  for  beating  his  wife,  which 
practice  is  contrary  to  our  principles  ;  for  Avhich  the  said  persons 
have  offered  their  acknowledgment  for  their  offence,  which  is 
accepted." — (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1740. — "  This  meeting  declares  it  as  their  sense,  that  such 
persons  who  neglect  assembling  themselves  together  for  the 
worship  (5f  God,  and  contend  against  that  necessary  duty,  and 
refuse  to  give  satisfaction  for  such  misconduct,  be  publicly 
testified  against,  as  in  cases  of  public  scandal." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

1743. — "  Touching  the  manner  of  making  acknowledgments, 
or  papers  of  condemnation,  for  ofi'ences  against  the  Church,  it 
is  the  sense  of  this  meeting,  .that  the  offenders  do  attend  the 
Monthly  Meeting,  together  with  their  papers  of  condemnation, 
where  it  is  practicable." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1751. — "Friends, — Whereas  I  contended  with  my  neighbor, 

W  S  ,  for  Avhat  I  apprehended  to  be  my  right,  by 

endeavoring  to  turn  a  certain  stream  of  Avater  into  its  natural 
course,  till  it  arose  to  a  personal  difference  ;  in  A\'hich  dispute, 
I  gave  way  to  warmth  of  temper  so  far  as  to  put  my  friend 
W  into  the  pond  ;  for  which  action  of  mine,  being  contrary 


186 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


to  the  good  order  of  Friends,  I  am  sorry,  and  desire,  through 
Divine  assistance,  to  live  in  unity  with  him  for  the  future. 

"  From  your  friend,  • 

"J   W  

(Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1752.  — "  It  is  agreed,  that  our  next  Monthly  Meeting  be 
held  on  the  fifth  day  after  the  election."  Again, 

1753.  — "It  is  agreed  that  our  next  Monthly  Meeting  be  held 
on  the  fifth  day  of  the  week,  instead  of  the  second,  on  account 
of  the  election." — (Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Friends  of  our  day  will  do  well  to  remember  the  change  of 
circumstances  since  that  period.  Then,  Friends  had  for  a  long 
series  of  years  administered  the  government,  and,  of  necessity, 
acted  in  the  legislative  and  executive  departments,  agreeably 
to  the  peaceable  and  Christian  principles  which  they  professed. 
But  the  ingress  of  other  people,  and  the  influence  of  the  adverse 
policy  of  the  neighboring  colonies,  had  created  a  war  spirit  in 
Pennsylvania,  which  was  now  striving  for  the  ascendency. 
Truth  required  that  Friends  should  sustain  their  position  by 
the  choice  of  proper  officers.  But  when  that  ascendancy  was 
gained  in  1756,  the  case  was  entirely  changed.  Thti  govern- 
ment became  a  military  one,  administered  on  the  anti-Christian, 
war  principle,  and  the  officers,  when  elected,  were  military  offi- 
cers. Elections  no  longer  turned  upon  the  choice  of  a  pacific 
or  a  warlike  policy,  but  upon  the  mere  preference  given  to  this 
or  that  party,  or  one  or  the  other  candidate, — all  equally 
military  and  alike  willing  to  persecute  Friends,  and  violate 
their  rights  of  conscience.  Under  these  circumstances,  many 
conscientious  Friends  resigned  their  seats  in  the  Legislature, 
and  no  longer  felt  themselves  at  liberty  to  participate  in  the 
aff"airs  of  government. 

1758. — "Dear  Friends,  in  a  deep  sense  of  the  suff'ering  of 
Truth,  in  divers  branches  of  its  testimony, — by  the  too  great 
neglect  of  the  discipline  and  advices  of  this  meeting,  which,  if 
received  and  attended  to  in  true  love  and  charity,  would  pre- 


DISCIPLINE. 


187 


serve  from  slightinc:;  and  laying  waste  that  precious  testimony 
given  us  to  bear,  and  for  ■\vhicli  our  forefathers  and  elders  suf- 
fered so  much,  and  some  of  them  even  sealed  with  their  blood, — 
we  fervently  exhort  Friends  to  arise  and  rebuild  the  waste 
places,  each  cheerfully  doing  their  proper  part  of  the  Avork^ 
remembering  that  the  service  is  the  Lord's.  May  we  all, 
therefore,  diligently^wait  on  him  for  the  renewal  of  heavenly 
virtue,  and  the  influence  of  that  wisdom  "which  is  from  above, 
faithfully  laboring  to  restore  those  that  are  overtaken  in  faults; 
and,  after  having  thus  discharged  our  duty,  be  careful  to  place 
judgment  on  such  as  cannot  be  reclaimed  in  the  authority  of 
Truth." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1760. — "  This  meeting,  taking  into  consideration  the  various 
circumstances  of  Friends  among  us,  doth  appoint  William 
Shipley,  Vincent  Bonsall,  Daniel  Byrne,  Francis  Way,  and 
Robert  Richardson,  to  inquire  Avhether  there  be  any  among  us 
who  are  not  capable  of  giving  their  children  learning  suitable 
to  fit  them  for  business  ;  and  -whether  there  be  any  who  launch 
into  trade  and  business  beyond  their  ability  to  manage,  or  by 
any  imprudent  ordering  of  their  outward  affairs,  are  in  danger 
of  bringing  reproach  on  the  profession  we  make  ;  and  whether 
there  be  any  who  are  not  punctual  to  their  promises,  or 
careful  in  paying  their  just  debts ;  and  where  any  deficiency 
appears  in  these  respects,  to  assist,  caution,  or  reprove,  as  the 
case  may  require." — (Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1672. — "  On  receiving  members  into  Society,  it  hath  been 
the  usual  practice  of  this  meeting  to  receive  them  first  under 
care,  and  then,  in  future,  as  they  conduct,  to  receive  them  into 
full  unity,  and  admit  them  to  sit  in  Meetings  of  Discipline ; 
which,  being  considered  here,  it  is  the  unanimous  mind  of 
Friends,  that  when  any  person  makes  application  to  be  ad- 
mitted a  member  of  the  Society,  and  the  Monthly  Meeting  is 
satisfied  of  his  life  and  conversation,  and  receive  him,  that  then 
he  shall  be  deemed  a  member  in  unity,  and  have  privilege  to 
sit  in  Meetings  of  Discipline." — (Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting.) 

It  is  proper  that  all  the  branches  of  the  same  religious  or- 


188 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


ganization  should  observe  the  same  standard  of  fitness  for 
membership,  both  in  receiving  and  disowning  members  ;  other- 
wise, those  having  a  low  standard  may  certificate  members  to 
others  of  a  higher  grade,  wliere  they  could  not  be  consistently 
received,  and  clashing  would  be  the  consequence. 

1763. — "  Where  any  are  found  wholly  fo  absent  themselves 
from  our  religious  meetings,  the  Monthly  Meetings,  after  due 
deliberation,  and  having  fully  discharged  their  duty  towards 
them,  and  finding  their  endeavors  to  reclaim  them  ineffectual, 
may  testify  against  them,  as  regardless  of  their  religious  duty." 
— (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1763. — Concord  Monthly  Meeting  complained  against  "  R  

P  and  J  ,  for  baclibiting  and  using  abusive  lan- 
guage." 

After  much  labor  had  been  bestowed  upon  them,  the  meeting 
requested  the  assistance  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  whose  com- 
mittee made  the  following  report.  The  parties  were  disowned 
after  a  treatment  of  nearly  two  years  : — 

"  It  is  our  opinion  that  Concord  Friends  have  been  put  by 

their  proper  business,  in  the  case  of  J  L  and  R  

P  ,  by  giving  way  to  their  outward  appearance  of  love  and 

friendship  being  restored  between  them,  when  their  hearts  have 
been  evily  affected  towards  each  other.  And,  as  we  fear  the 
testimony  of  Truth  has  suffered  by  too  much  delay,  we  think 
that,  unless  something  more  of  love  appears  between  them  than 
has  heretofore  done,  Friends  should  testify  against  them.  . 
"  Joshua  Baldavist,  "  Amos  Garret, 

"  Evan  Jones,  "  Thomas  Massy, 

"John  Hibbert,  "Abraham  Bonsall, 

"  Nathan  Garret,  "  Joseph  Lees, 

"John  Perry,  "  Griffith  Minshall, 

"William  Leatis,  "Daniel  Burns." 

(Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 


DISCIPLINE. 


189 


1763. — "  Stephen  Comfort  antl  lloLert  Collinson  are  ap- 
pointeLl  to  visit  such  as  are  delinquent  in  the  attendance  of 
religious  meetings,  and  endeavor  to  stir  them  up  and  encourage 
them  to  more  diligence,  as  they,  in  the  wisdom  of  Truth,  may 
be  enabled." — (Middletown  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1T()3. — "The  Preparative  Meetings  returned  Jacob  Dingec, 
William  Trimble,  William  Peters,  Abraham  Darlington,  and 
George  Entriken,  for  the  necessary  undertaking  of  stirring  up 
the  delinquents  in  their  duty  of  attending  religious  meetings, 
as  they,  in  the  wisdom  of  Truth,  may  be  directed." — (Kennet 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1TG3. — "  J          Vi   (a  representative)  acquainted  a 

Friend  that  outward  business  prevented  his  attending  both  now 
and  at  last  meeting ;  which  reason,  not  being  satisfactory  to 
the  meeting,  it  is  desired  that  Friends  of  Deer  Creek  do  give 
the  necessary  caution  and  advice  to  him  on  the  occasion ;  and 
also,  it  is  desired,  that  Monthly  Meetings  would  be  careful  to 
appoint  such  Friends  representatives  who  may  not  let  small 
matters  hinder  their  attendance." — (Western  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing-) 

Very  appropriate  advice,  and  much  needed  by  those  who, 
often  too  hastily,  offer  names  on  the  appointing  of  committees. 

1765. — "With  much  affection  and  tenderness,  we  recom- 
mend to  each  Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meeting,  and  to  each 
individual  member  who  has  the  least  desire  to  be  useful  in  the 
Church,  that,  in  all  their  deliberations  and  conclusions,  whether 
public  or  private,  you  may  retain  a  single  eye  to  the  power  of 
God  and  the  prosperity  of  our  Zion  ;  gathering  inward  to  the 
divine  principle,  to  know  from  what  spring  and  motive  you  act. 
And,  as  this  is  experienced  to  influence  the  mind,  partiality 
and  every  ivrong  bias  will  be  avoided,  and  a  living  concern 
will  subsist  for  the  welfare  of  the  whole  body;  that  unity  and 
concord  may  be  maintained  through  every  part,  on  the  right 
foundation . ' ' — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1765. — "WHiereas,  W          M          hath  had  his  education 


190 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


among  us,  and  been  deemed  a  member  of  our  Societ}^,  but  for 
want  of  enough  regarding  the  dictates  of  Truth  in  his  heart, 
which  Avould  have  preserved  him  from  evil,  and  enabled  him  to 
live  a  life  of  integrity  and  self-denial,  he  hath  given  way  to  his 
libertine  inclinations,  so  far  as  to  neglect  his  lawful  business, 
and  too  much  practice  jockeying  or  dealing  in  horses,  and 
several  other  things  tending  to  a  vain  and  idle  life ;  whereby 
he  involved  himself  in  debt,  and  became  unable  to  satisfy  his 
creditors,  by  paying  their  just  demands  ;  and  hath  also,  for  a 
considerable  time,  almost  wholly  absented  himself  from  our 
religious  meetings,  and  doth  not  keep  to  the  plain  language, 
nor  appear  convinced  of  the  necessity  thereof;  all  which 
being  reproachful,  we  disown  him,"  &c. — (New  Garden  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

W          M  was  descended  from  worthy  and  exemplary 

ancestors  in  the  Church ;  but  the  licentiousness  of  the  age, 
aggravated  by  peculiarly  unfavorable  circumstances  of  a  local 
character,  led  him,  and  very  many  of  his  contemporaries,  into 
ruinous  practices,  which  ought  to  be  held  up  as  a  beacon-light, 
to  warn  others  of  the  dangerous  rocks  whereon  they  made  ship- 
wreck. 

1766. — "The  committee  appointed  to  view  and  compare  the 
accounts  [sent  up]  to  last  meeting,  &c.,  propose  to  this  meet- 
ing's consideration,  '  whether,  in  this  time,  wherein  weakness 
and  deficiencies  prevail,  it  might  not  be  useful  closely  to  recom- 
mend to  all  the  Monthly  Meetings  a  strict  and  narrow  inspec- 
tion into  the  particular  state  of  their  Preparative  Meetings,  and 
the  conduct  of  Overseers  and  other  active  members,  to  know 
how  far  a  regular  care  is  taken  at  home  to  remedy  the  defects 
that  have  often  been  hinted  to  this  meeting ;'  which,  being 
weightily  spoken  to,  and  the  proposal  favored  by  many  Friends, 
the  subject  is  accordingly  recommended  to  the  several  Monthly 
Meetings,  in  order  that  a  solid  inspection  may  be  made  into 
the  situation  of  things  as  proposed." — (Western  Quarterly 
Meeting.) 


DISCIPLINE. 


191 


1777.  — "  The  meeting  being  sensibly  favored  with  the  calm- 
ing influence  and  seasoning  virtue  of  Truth,  it  is  unanimously 
agreed  to  recommend  this  weighty  subject  to  the  deep  atten- 
tion and  speedy  care  of  Quarterly  Meetings,  that  they  may 
appoint  suitable  Friends  in  each  of  them  as  committees,  to  visit 
the  Monthly,  Preparative,  and  Particular  Meetings,  or  families 
of  Friends,  as  Truth  may  point  out  the  way ;  for  reformation 
with  respect  to  the  due  and  wakeful  attendance  of  all  our  reli- 
gious meetings ;  plainness  of  speech,  behavior,  apparel,  and 
household  furniture,  with  other  deficiencies  mentioned  in  the 
answers  to  the  queries  which  are  the  cause  of  the  present  con- 
cern and  exercise." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

This  concern  was  promptly  responded  to  by  Quarterly  and 
Monthly  Meetings,  as  many  of  their  records  show,  and  much 
labor  bestowed  in  order  to  promote  a  "reformation;"  but  the 
minutes  are  too  voluminous  for  insertion, 

1778.  — "  S   D  ,  under  a  sense  of  her  own  trans- 
gression, attended  this  meeting  and  oifered  a  paper  in  order  to 
acknowledge  and  condemn  the  same. 

"  Whereas,  I,  the  subscriber,  for  want  of  giving  heed  to  the 
dictates  of  Truth  in  my  own  heart,  which  would  have  preserved 
me  from  evil,  have,  in  a  most  sorrowful  manner,  deviated 
therefrom,  and  given  way  to  a  libertine  disposition  in  keeping 
company  with  a  man  in  no  way  suitable  for  me  ;  and  was  led 
away  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  guilty  of  fornication.  It  is 
Avith  shame  and  sorrow  of  heart  that  I  thus  expose  myself ; 
but  it  has  often  come  before  the  view  of  my  mind  that  the 
taking  of  the  accursed  thing  formerly,  although  hid,  even 
under  ground,  yet  it  was  a  hindrance  to  the  battle  of  the  Lord 
going  forward.  So  I  have  been  ready  to  conclude,  that  my 
endeavoring  to  keep  this  a  secret  might,  in  a  spiritual  sense, 
be  a  hindrance  to  the  battle  in  this  our  day.  And  it  is  the 
sincere  desire  of  my  mind,  that  Infinite  Goodness,  which  has 
been  graciously  pleased  to  visit  me  and  set  my  sins  in  order 
before  me,  may  not  leave  me  nor  forsake  me ;  and  that  every- 


102 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


thing  in  nie  that  is  sinful  or  displeasing  in  his  sight  may  be 
stoned,  and  the  stump  and  root  thereof  be  burned  as  with  fire, 
and  tliat  I  may  witness  my  sins  to  be  washed  away.  Then  I 
shall  have  more  comfort  than  I  sometime  ago  had,  when  I 
thought  the  time  had  come  wherein  I  must  appear  before  Him 
who  knows  the  secrets  of  all  hearts,  and  is  of  purer  eyes  than 
to  behold  iniquity  with  approbation.  Oh,  that  I  may  often 
think  of  the  distress  that  I  was  then  in,  for  it  passed  through 
my  mind,  with  many  other  things,  that  there  was  a  woe  pro- 
nounced against  those  that  made  the  outside  of  the  cup  and 
platter  clean,  while  the  inside  was  full  of  hypocrisy ;  and  it 
seemed  to  me  that  they  were  those  who  had  the  favor  of  man, 
but  not  of  God.  Now,  as  I  felt  myself,  through  my  miscon- 
duct (though  in  a  secret  manner),  disowned  from  the  true 
unity  of  Friends,  yet  I  think  I  can  say  that  I  am  heartily 
sorry  for  all  such  misconduct  as  I  have  been  guilty  of,  and  do 
wish  that  Friends  may  find  freedom  so  fa'r  to  pass  by  my 
offence  as  to  continue  me  under  tlieir  care,  hoping  my  future 

conduct  may  better  deserve  it.  S  D  ." 

(Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Let  none  despise  this  humble  penitent.  It  certainly  mani- 
fests a  deep  sense  of  religious  duty,  and  a  large  amount  of 
moral  courage  for  her  to  offer  such  a  humiliating  acknowledg- 
ment where  there  was  no  accuser ;  and,  though  some  may 
think  she  was  not  required  to  make  the  disclosure,  yet  all 
must  award  her  entire  sincerity,  and  admit  that  she  was  im- 
pelled by  a  strong  sense  of  duty.  May  we  all  be  alike  faith- 
ful to  our  manifested  duties,  remembering  with  her  that  there 
is  One  "  who  knows  the  secrets  of  all  hearts,  and  is  of  purer 
eyes  than  to  behold  iniquity  Avith  approbation."  And,  though 
no  human  eye  may  have  witnessed  it,  sin,  of  whatever  kind, 
ever  will  "  disown  us  from  the  true  unity  of  Friends"  and  of 
the  ever  blessed  Truth. 

1780. — "  The  committee  appointed  in  that  weighty  service 
of  reformation,  with  respect  to  the  due  and  wakeful  attendance 


DISCIPLINE. 


193 


of  our  religious  meetings,  plainness  of  speech,  behavior,  appa- 
rel, and  household  furniture,  with  other  deficiencies  complained 
of  in  the  answers  to  the  queries,  report,  they  attended  to  the 
service,  and  visited  one  another  several  times,  and  find  that 
there  appears  a  willingness  in  most  to  endeavor  to  remedy  defi- 
ciencies ;  and  many  things  that  appeared  superfluous  have  been 
removed  or  altered.  But  there  doth  not  appear  that  lively 
concern  on  the  minds  of  all  for  returning  to  that  primitive  plain- 
ness and  simplicity  which  Truth  led  our  forefathers  into,  that 
would  be  profitable  ;  which  is  under  care  of  the  committee." — 
(Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Committees  of  this  sort  appear  to  have  been  appointed  in  all 
the  Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meetings,  and  continued  for  many 
months.  In  many  instances  they  commenced  their  labors 
among  their  own  members,  and  with  those  who  stood  high  in 
their  respective  meetings. 

1792. — "On  attending  to  the  state  of  the  Church  as  repre- 
sented in  the  reports,  a  lively  concern  arose,  under  which  it  is 
apprehended  that  an  appointment  of  a  committee  to  visit  the 
several  Quarterly,  Monthly,  and  Preparative  Meetings,  as 
Truth  may  open  the  way,  may  conduce  to  the  promotion  of  our 
several  religious  testimonies  and  the  benefit  of  individuals.  The 
following  Friends  are  therefore  appointed  to  the  service,  viz. : 
Nicholas  Wain,  Caleb  Cresson,  James  Thornton,  William 
Blakey,  Oliver  Paxson,  Joshua  Sharpless,  Samuel  Canby, 
Abraham  Gibbons,  Isaac  Coates,  Warner  MifBin,  Daniel  Cow- 
gill,  George  Dillwyn,  Benjamin  Clarke,  John  Collins,  William 
Rogers,  Benjamin  Reeve,  Isaac  Martin,  Abraham  Hibbard, 
John  Simpson,  John  Hoskins,  James  Pemberton,  Huson  Long- 
streth,  and  Mark  Miller." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1800. — "It  is  believed  it  will  tend  to  most  satisfaction,  and 
consist  with  general  union,  to  adopt  the  following  report : — 

"  '  The  committee  appointed  on  the  proposition  from  Bur- 
lington Quarterly  Meeting  having  met,  and  divers  other  brethren 
attending,  after  a  free  communication  of  sentiments,  agreed 

13 


194 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


•with  much  unanimity  to  propose,  that  the  publishing  of  testifi- 
cations and  papers  of  acknowledgment,  at  our  meetings  for 
public  worship,  should  in  future  be  discontinued.'  " — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

OVERSEERS. 

It  appears  to  have  been  the  practice  of  Friends,  from  a  very 
early  period,  to  appoint  some  of  their  number  to  preserve  good 
order,  but  without  the  specific  name  of  overseers.  Preparative 
Meetings  seem  to  have  grown  out  of  those  appointments,  and 
will  be  best  noticed  in  that  connection. 

1681.  — "At  a  General  Meeting,  held  in  Burlington  the  last 
day  of  the  sixth  month,  1681,  it  is  ordered,  that  each  Monthly 
Meeting  do  appoint  two  persons  to  follow  reports,  in  order  to 
find  out  the  reporters ;  and  to  minister  justice  upon  all  such 
reports,  that  may  tend  to  defamation  or  slander  of  any  Friend 
or  person ;  and  also  such  reports  as  may  be  spoken  out  of 
Friends  Men's  and  Women's  Meetings." — (Burlington  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1682.  — "At  our  Quarterly  Meeting  at  John  Edmondson's, 
&c.,  the  advice  of  the  Half-Year's  Meeting,  that  two  Friends 
should  be  appointed  in  each  respective  meeting  to  inquire  into 
its  well-being,  and  to  end  difi'erences,  if  possible,  among  them, 
that  the  work  of  peace  may  go  on,  and  those  Friends  give  an 
account  to  the  Half- Year's  Meeting ;  and  this  meeting  appoints 
William  Lockwell,  William  Southbee,  for  Tuckahoe;  Howell 
Powell,  Lovelace  Gorsuch,  for  Choptank ;  Bryan  Omealy, 
Richard  Mitchell,  for  Betty's  Cove ;  Ralph  Fishburn,  William 
Jones,  for  Bayside." — (Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1695. — "Advised  that  such  as  come  late  to  meetings,  or, 
Avhen  they  come  there,  fall  asleep,  or  be  restless,  or  not  stay  in 


OVERSEERS. 


195 


the  meeting,  but  go  forth,  or  otherwise  behave  themselves  un- 
becoming our  holy  profession  ;  that,  as  soon  as  meeting  is 
over,  they  be  admonished  thereof  by  such  as  are  appointed  to 
take  care  of  such  things ;  and  that  two  or  more  men  and  wo- 
men, out  of  their  respective  meetings,  be  from  time  to  time 
chosen  for  that  service  ;  and  such  as  -will  not  receive  their 
admonition,  on  their  report  to  the  said  Monthly  Meeting,  to 
be  further  dealt  with,  as  Friends  in  the  wisdom  of  God  shall 
see  meet  to  direct." — (Yearly  Meeting.)    (Friends'  Library.) 

This  date  accords  with  my  notes,  but  it  appears  most  likely 
that  it  was  first  issued  in  1094  and  repeated  this  year. 

1G95.  —  "Whereas  there  were  formerly  appointed*  two 
Friends  of  this  meeting,  to  inspect  and  see  that  all  professing 
Truth  do  walk  accordingly,  in  sobriety  and  plainness ;  and 
that  it  may  be  the  better  known  what  the  said  Friends  do 
therein,  it  is  agreed  that  the  IMonthly  Meeting  make  inquiry 
monthly,  and  that  they  give  an  account  thereof." — (Falls 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1695. — "  The  Yearly  Meeting  paper  being  read,  brought  a 
concern  upon  the  meeting,  and,  according  to  the  advice  of 
Friends  in  the  same,  we  choose  William  Hughes,  Robert  Pyle, 
and  John  Kingsman,  for  Chichester  Meeting ;  George  Pierce. 
Thomas  King,  and  Nicholas  Pyle,  for  Concord  Meeting;  to 
admonish  Friends  and  young  people,  in  any  case  where  they 
come  short  in  the  good  order  of  Truth." — (Concord  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1695. — "  Some  papers  being  brought  from  the  Yearly  Meet- 
ing, wherein  are  contained  many  and  weighty  particulars  relating 
to  an  honest,  plain,  and  upright  life  and  conversation,  among 
all  that  make  profession  of  Truth  ;  it  is  the  care  of  this  meet- 
ing to  appoint  Ezra  Crosdule  and  Stephen  Wilson  to  take 
care  and  inspect  among  Friends,  and  Friends'  children,  belong;- 

*  The  minutes  of  several  months  of  this  and  the  preceding  year  are  not 
found  ou  the  record.  The  appointment  was  probably  made  in  one  of  those 
months. 


19G 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


iiig  to  this  meeting ;  to  advise  and  admonish  according  as  they, 
in  the  wisdom  of  God,  shall  see  needful  and  find  occasion ; 
and  tliat  they  make  return  or  report  how  they  find  things  at 
every  Monthly  Meeting." — (Middletown  Monthly  Meeting.) 

In  the  year  1699,  James  Dickinson  addressed  an  epistle  to 
Friends  in  the  American  Provinces,  inculcating  the  necessity 
for  maintaining  a  strict  and  holy  discipline  in  the  Church.  It 
was  read  in  Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  probably  in  others. 

1G99. — "And  in  order  thereto,  we  (in  England)  are  in  the 
practice  of  appointing  two  or  more  faithful  Friends  in  every 
Particular  Meeting,  to  take  inspection  into  the  conversation  of 
Friends,  how  they  walk  as  becomes  Truth ;  and  these  Friends 
of  every  meeting,  which  we  call  a  Preparative  Meeting,  because 
it  fits  those  that  are  appointed  to  give  a  true  account  to  the 
Monthly  Meeting,  that  often  consists  of  several,  and  takes  a 
great  deal  of  work  from  the  Monthly  Meetings ;  things  being 
done  without  going  thither." — (Gough  III,  p.  521.) 

1700.  — "  In  pursuance  of  the  order  of  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
for  the  preserving  of  the  unity,  and  the  more  decent  behavior 
to  be  kept  and  preserved  among  Fi'iends,  according  to  the 
Truth,  this  meeting  have  ordered  those  Friends,  viz.,  eight 
men  and  eight  women,  to  meet  on  the  first  fifth-day  before 
every  Monthly  Meeting,  to  hear  and  consider  of  matters  that 
may  be  for  the  service  of  Truth,"  &c. — (Concord  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1701.  — "  It  is  agreed  upon  at  this  meeting,  that  a  Prepara- 
tive Meeting  be  established  on  the  Weekly  Meeting  day  that 
happeneth  next  before  the  Monthly  Meeting ;  and  that  those 
Friends  that  are  appointed  to  be  overseers,  do  attend  to  that 
service." — (Abington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1701. — "  Agreed  at  this  meeting,  that  a  Preparative  Meeting 
be  established ;  and  that  the  same  be  observed  and  kept  upon 
the  last  fourth-day  in  every  month,  as  soon  as  the  meeting  for 
worship  is  over."    And  six  months  after,  it  was  "  ordered  that 


OVERSEERS. 


197 


the  Preparative  Meeting  of  Men  and  Women  Friends  be  apart 
by  themselves." — (Darby  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1701. — "  Ordered,  that  William  Garrett  and  Edmund 
Cartledge  inspect  into  the  orderly  walking  of  Friends,  as  it 
was  given  forth  by  Friends  here  at  the  Yearly  Meeting,  1695, 
and  from  the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Pardsay  Cragg,  in  old 
England,  in  1699 ;  and  that  those  things  therein  expressed  be 
put  in  practice." — (Darby  Monthly  Meeting.)  (See  Epistle 
from  Pardsay  Cragg,  at  the  end  of  this  article.) 

1701. — "  Ordered,  that  Valentine  Hollingsworth,  George 
Harlan,  George  Hogg,  and  John  Bruster  be  overseers  in  the 
Weekly  Meetings." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1701. — The  Friends  appointed  to  attend  the  Quarterly 
Meeting,  having  laid  before  it  the  intention  of  Friends  of  this 
meeting  of  keeping  a  Preparative  Meeting  ;  which  was  ac- 
cordingly entered  there,  and  it  was  left  to  Friends  here  to 
appoint  the  time  as  they  thought  most  convenient. 

"  That  Friends  keep  their  Preparative  Meetings  after  their 
Weekly  Meetings  in  each  Particular  Meeting  belonging  to  this 
Monthly  Meeting ;  and  that  they  keep  it  at  their  next  Weekly 
Meeting,  before  the  Monthly  Meeting ;  and  that  they  meet 
at  the  eleventh  hour  ;  and  that  Friends'  intention  of  marriage 
be  laid  before  the  Preparative  Meeting  before  they  bring  it 
before  the  Monthly  Meeting  ;  and  that  all  differences  that 
cannot  be  ended  and  decided  by  the  endeavors  of  Friends  ap- 
pointed, as  by  the  settled  and  approved  order  of  Friends,  be 
brought  before  the  Preparative  Meeting  before  it  be  brought 
to  the  Monthly  Meeting." — (Radnor  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  name  of  overseers  occurs  several  times  under  this  date, 
but  not  earlier,  that  we  have  seen.  Up  to  this  period,  Pre- 
parative Meetings  appear  to  have  been  held  by  persons  ap- 
pointed in  the  capacity  of  overseers.  The  name  at  least  may 
have  been  taken  from  John  Dickinson's  Epistle;  but  it  ap- 
pears, by  the  discipline  of  1704,  that  the  Yearly  Meeting 
clearly  distinguished  between  the  service  of  the  overseers  and  of 
the  Preparative  Meeting.    It  recommended, 


198 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


1704.  — "  That  the  ehlerly  and  other  Friends,  both  men  and 
women,  in  unity,  and  who  may  have  a  sense  of  Truth's  service, 
do  make  some  stay  and  inquire  into  the  service  of  the  said  meet- 
ing, &c.,  whether  there  be  anything  for  them  to  offer  to  the 
next  Monthly  Meeting."    And  also, 

"  That  there  be  two  sober  and  judicious  men  Friends,  and  also 
two  women,  chosen  from  time  to  time  by  every  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, to  be  overseers  in  each  of  the  Preparative  Meetings ;  to 
continue  so  long  at  one  time  as  may  by  them  be  seen  needful 
for  the  service  of  Truth  ;  which  overseers,  at  the  request  of 
the  said  Monthly  Meeting,  shall  be  ready  to  give  an  account 
of  their  several  services  and  duties  as  is  hereafter  mentioned." 
—(Discipline,  1704.) 

1705.  — "  John  Blunston  and  John  Hood  were  ordered  to 
attend  the  Quarterly  Meeting  and  to  lay  before  it  the  manner 
of  our  Preparative  Meeting,  and  to  know  their  approbation 
about  it." — (Darby  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  meeting  had  accepted  the  rule  of  discipline  of  the  pre- 
ceding year  in  an  advisory  sense,  and  kept  the  Preparative 
Meeting  in  the  "  manner"  formerly  adopted.  We  have  not 
seen  the  decision  of  the  quarter,  but  two  months  after, 

"  The  chosen  number  of  Friends  for  the  Preparative  Meet- 
ing are  discharged ;  and  it  is  ordered  by  this  meeting,  that  the 
elderly  Friends,  and  others  in  unity,  shall,  upon  the  same 
days,  make  some  stay  to  consider  of  all  such  matters  as  may 
come  before  them." 

A  commendable  instance  of  the  condescension  and  harmony 
which  characterized  the  Friends  of  that  day,  and  is  deserving 
of  imitation  in  all  future  time. 

In  1719  the  last  advice  was  again  sent  down,  with  the  fol- 
lowing additions : — 

1719. — "  And,  although  it  is  a  duty  incumbent  on  meetings 
and  every  faithful  member,  where  any  disorder  or  unbecoming 


OVERSEERS. 


199 


practice  comes  to  their  knowledge,  to  advise  and  admonish  or 
deal  with  such  as  are  guilty  of  them  ;  yet,  that  some  may 
not  be  overlooked  or  neglected,  it  is  and  ought  to  be  more 
particularly  and  directly  the  business  and  service  of  the  over- 
seers." And, 

"It  is  the  advice- of  this  meeting,  that,  in  speaking  to  or 
dealing  with  any,  it  be  done  in  a  Christian  spirit  of  love  and 
tenderness,  laboring  in  meekness,  by  laying  the  evil  before 
them,  to  bring  such  persons  to  a  sense  of  it  in  themselves,  that 
they  may  be  restored,  if  possible.  And,  although  such  as 
transgress  or  lose  their  hold  on  Truth  are  apt  to  oppose  or  be 
testy,  while  they  are  in  that  condition,  yet  we  ought  patiently 
and  meekly  to  instruct  and  advise  them  ;  that  so  we  may 
not  only  have  a  testimony  of  peace  within  ourselves,  but  that 
it  may  likewise  so  affect  the  spirit  of  the  Friend  spoken  to, 
that  he  may  be  sensible  we  have  performed  a  truly  Christian 
duty  and  an  office  of  brotherly  love  towards  him.  After 
which  tender  dealing,  if  any  reject  the  admonition,  counsel, 
or  advice  given  them,  the  overseers,  or  such  as  so  deal  with 
them,  are  to  acquaint  the  next  Monthly  Meeting  thereof,  that 
further  care  may  be  taken  with  such,  according  to  the  esta- 
blished rules  among  Friends." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1723. — The  Yearly  Meeting  again  recommended  "  That 
each  Monthly  Meeting,  as  often  as  there  may  be  occasion, 
appoint  at  least  two  overseers  for  each  Particular  Meeting, 
who  arc  to  be  diligent  in  putting  our  discipline  and  directions 
by  Epistles  in  practice ;  and  make  report  of  their  proceeding 
when  the  meeting  requires  the  same." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1739. — "  Recommended  to  the  several  Monthly  Meetings 
within  the  verge  of  this  meeting,  once  in  each  quarter  of  the 
year,  and  at  such  other  times  as  they  shall  think  fit,  to  call 
upon  the  respective  overseers  to  know  in  what  manner  they 
have  discharged  their  trust ;  and,  to  this  end,  that  such 
queries  be  proposed  to  them  as  the  meeting  shall  judge  pro- 
per."— (Yearly  Meeting.)    See  Queries. 

In  those  times,  many  of  the  offences  committed  against  the 


200 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


order  and  discipline  of  the  Church  were  of  a  minor  grade.  The 
name  "  overseer"  does  not  often  occur;  yet  appointments  were 
made  to  perform  duties  which  are  now  enjoined  upon  them. 
Those  duties  are  variously  expressed  by  different  meetings,  all 
signifying  the  same  thing.  In  one  they  were  to  "  follow  re- 
ports ;"  another,  "  to  end  differences  ;"  another,  "  to  admonish 
unbecoming  behavior  ;"  another,  "  those  who  came  short  in  the 
good  order  of  Truth  ;"  and  another,  "  to  inspect  into  the  orderly 
walking  of  Friends."  This  last  is  perhaps  the  full  expression  of 
the  duty  of  an  overseer  ;  or,  to  which  may  be  added,  that  of 
answering  the  state  of  the  members  to  the  Monthly  Meetin 
Darby  Monthly  Meeting,  however,  gave  its  appointees  a  more 
detailed  charge,  by  committing  to  them  a  paper. 

"  From  our  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Pardsay  Cragg,  the  12th 
of  the  eighth  month,  1699. 

"  Dear  Friends  and  Brethren  :  Unto  you  is  the  salutation  of 
our  dearest  love,  in  the  sweet  fellowship  of  the  Gospel  of  Peace  ; 
desiring  that  grace,  mercy,  and  peace  may  be  increased  in  and 
amongst  you,  and  in  all  the  Churches  of  Christ.  Having  a 
weighty  sense  upon  us  for  the  honor  of  God,  and  that  a  holy 
discipline,  in  the  pure  wisdom  and  love  of  God,  may  be  kept 
up  and  practised  in  all  the  churches,  we  thought  good  to  re- 
commend unto  your  care  these  following  minutes  to  be  put  in 
practice  : — 

"  1.  To  see  that  Friends  be  diligent  in  coming  to  their 
Week-Day  Meetings,  and  to  stir  up  those  that  are  backward. 

"  2.  That  Friends  be  careful  to  keep  to  their  Monthly  Meet- 
ings, to  attend  the  affairs  and  service  of  the  Truth. 

"  To  counsel  and  admonish  Friends  to  keep  out  of  superfluity 
in  meat,  drink,  and  apparel,  at  all  times ;  especially  at  mar- 
riages, births,  and  burials. 

"4.  That  Friends  everywhere  be  careful  to  behave  them- 
selves orderly  in  their  words,  carriage,  and  deportments,  upon 
all  occasions,  as  to  answer  the  witness  of  God  in  those  whom 
they  may  converse  with. 

"  5.  That  Friends  launch  not  out  into  trading  and  business, 


OVERSEERS. 


201 


beyond  what  they  are  able  to  manage ;  nor  break  their  pro- 
mises, in  paying  of  their  just  debts  and  contracts  ;  nor  that 
none  practice  any  clandestine  way  of  trading,  which  is  to  the 
great  dishonor  of  Truth  and  scandal  to  religion,  which  the 
testimony  of  Truth  is  gone  forth  against. 

"  6.  That  Friends  be  careful  to  keep  out  of  the  abuse  of 
smoking  and  chewing  of  tobacco,  especially  in  markets  and 
public  places  ;  and  that  such  render  a  reason  why  they  take  it, 
and  to  observe  convenient  times  and  places. 

"  7.  If  there  be  any  Friends  who  be  masters  of  any  trade, 
and  want  apprentices,  or  the  children  of  Friends  to  be  put 
forth  to  any  trade,  that  they  do  first  acquaint  the  Preparative, 
Monthly,  and  Quarterly  Meetings  therewith,  before  they  take 
those  that  are  not  Friends,  or  put  forth  their  children  to  such. 

"  8.  That  care  be  taken  that  all  Friends  be  careful  not  to 
give  way  to  sleep  or  drowsiness  in  public  meetings  for  worship 
or  business,  but  to  watch  against  it,  for  it  is  a  dishonor  to  such 
as  profess  the  Truth. 

"  9.  That  Friends  be  careful  to  keep  out  of  tattling,  tale- 
bearing, backbiting,  whispering,  and  meddling  themselves  in 
other  men's  matters,  where  they  are  not  concerned  ;  which 
things  may  tend  to  the  sowing  of  discord,  and  raising  strife 
among  brethren. 

"  10.  That  care  be  taken,  where  any  difference  happens  to 
arise  among  Friends,  that  they  be  advised  speedily  to  end  the 
same  ;  otherwise  to  refer  themselves  to  the  judgment  of  two  or 
more  honest  Friends ;  and  if  they  cannot  agree,  then  to  report 
the  same,  first  to  the  Preparative  Meeting ;  and  if  there  they 
cannot  be  agreed,  the  said  meeting  is  to  report  the  same  to  the 
Monthly  Meeting  to  which  they  belong,  and  so  to  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting,  if  need  require. 

"11.  That  care  be  taken,  and  Friends  advised  that  have 
real  estates,  not  to  put  away  or  dispose  of  them  to  their  chil- 
dren or  other  relations,  which  may  prove  injurious  to  them- 
selves, and  Truth  suffer  thereby,  before  they  first  acquaint  the 
Preparative  and  Monthly  Meetings  therewith. 

"  12.  That  care  be  taken  that  Friends  who  have  children 


202 


RETROSPECT  OP  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


train  them  up  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  that  they  restrain 
them  from  vice  and  wantonness,  and  keeping  of  company  with 
such  as  teach  the  vain  fashions  and  corrupt  ways  of  the  world, 
to  the  misspending  of  their  precious  time  and  substance,  and  to 
the  dishonor  of  Truth  and  grief  of  faithful  Friends. 

"  13.  That  Friends  do  not  remove  themselves  from  the  place 
of  their  last  abode  or  settlement,  before  they  acquaint,  and 
have  the  advice  of,  the  said  meetings. 

"  14.  It  is  likewise  advised,  that  no  Friend  commence  or 
defend  any  suit  at  law  against  any  person,  before  they  lay 
their  present  case  before  the  Preparative  and  Monthly  Meet- 
ings ;  save  only  they  that  may  be  concerned  to  defend,  may 
give  appearance,  if  need  requires,  or,  in  case  of  necessity, 
upon  a  bond  or  just  debt." 


CHAPTER  IX. 

CERTIFICATES. 

It  is  the  reasonable  duty  of  an  order-loving,  religious  so- 
ciety, when  any  of  its  members  remove  to  another  meeting,  to 
furnish  them  with  a  certificate  of  their  membership  and  circum- 
spect walking ;  and  such  has  been  the  early  and  continued 
practice  of  Friends. 

1679.— "At  a  Man's  Meeting,  at  Howell  Powell's,  the  25th 
of  first  month,  1679,  this  may  certify  all  Friends  whom  it  may 
concern,  that  William  Berry,  Jr.,  of  Maryland,  by  and  with 
the  consent  of  his  father  and  mother-in-law,  is  intended  to  take 
shipping  and  go  for  Ireland ;  his  father  and  mother  desiring  it 
may  be  for  his  good  every  way.  This  testimony  we  have  for 
him,  that,  as  far  as  we  know,  he  has  behaved  himself  as  a  duti- 
ful son  to  his  parents,  and  walked  blameless  in  the  Truth,  so 
far  as  made  known." — (Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting.) 


CERTIFICATES. 


203 


1682.— "From  Suttle  Monthly  Meeting,  the  7th  of  the 
fourth  month,  1G82,  These  arc  to  certify  all  those  whom  it 
may  concern,  that  it  is  manifested  to  us  that  a  necessity  is  laid 
upon  several  Friends  belonging  to  this  Monthly  Meeting  to 
remove  into  Pennsylvania,  and  particularly  our  dear  friend 
Cuthbert  Hayhurst,  his  wife,  and  family,  who  has  been,  and 
is,  a  laborer  in  the  Truth,  for  whose  welfare  and  prosperity  we 
are  unanimously  concerned ;  and  also  for  our  friend  Thomas 
Wrightsworth,  and  also  his  wife  ;  Thomas  Walmsly,  Elizabeth 
his  wife,  and  six  children  ;  Thomas  Croasdale,  Agnes  his  wife, 
and  six  children  ;  Thomas  Stackhouse  and  Margery  his  wife ; 
Nicholas  Wain,  his  wife,  and  three  children  ;  Ellen  Cowgill 
and  family;  who,  we  believe,  are  faithful  Friends  in  their 
measures,  and  single  in  their  intentions ;  to  remove  into  the 
aforesaid  Pennsylvania,  in  America,  there  to  inhabit,  if  the 
Lord  permit.  And  we  do  certify  unity  with  their  said  inten- 
tions, and  do  desire  their  prosperity  in  the  Lord ;  and  hope 
what  is  done  by  them  will  lead  to  the  advancement  of  the  Truth, 
in  which  we  are  unanimously  concerned  Avith  them." 

(Signed  by  eleven  Friends.) 

The  Friends  named  in  the  above  certificate  came  over  in  the 
ship  "Welcome,"  in  company  with  William  Penn. 

1682.  — "  Agreed  that  all  young  persons  that  are  single  and 
profess  the  Truth,  both  male  and  female,  do  take  care  to  pro- 
cure certificates  from  the  Monthly  Meetings  they  belong  to, 
both  of  their  conversation  and  clearness  of  any  person  relating 
to  marriage." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1683.  — "It  being  ordered  by  the  Yearly  Meeting,  that  all 
Friends  that  come  into  this  province  shall  bring  in  their  certi- 
ficates to  every  Monthly  Meeting,  this  meeting  doth  order  Wil- 
liam Yardley  to  publish  the  said  order  in  the  Particular  Meetings 
belonging  to  this  Man's  Meeting."— (Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1684.  — "  Dear  Friends  :  Whei-eas,  Adam  Roades,  son  of 
John  Roades,  of  Wingreanes,  in  the  county  of  Darby,  having 
a  mind  to  transport  himself  into  the  country,  we  cer- 


204 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


tify  that  he  hath  behaved  himself  as  a  loving,  sober  young 
man,  and,  to  the  best  of  our  knowledge,  is  clear  from  all 
women ;  and  Friends  have  had  love  and  unity  with  him,  and 
in  this  we  part  with  him,  still  wishing  his  preservation  and 
prosperity. 

"  From  our  Monthly  Meeting  at  Whitt  Led,  in  the  county 
of  Darby,  this  14th  of  the  fifth  month,  1684."— (Darby  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1687. — "  This  meeting  orders  that  all  Friends  belonging  to 
this  meeting  shall  bring  in  their  certificates,  or  verbal  testimony 
of  Friends  that  live  here,  of  their  good  lives  and  conversation 
in  Old  England,  to  the  next  Monthly  Meeting;  and  also  that 
Philip  Roman  doth  publish  it  in  Chichester  Meeting,  and 
Nicholas  Newlin  doth  publish  it  in  Concord  Meeting." 

The  next  month,  several  certificates  were  given  in ;  and 
"John  Harding,  John  Kingsman,  Philip  Roman,  and  Francis 
Chadsy,  gave  this  meeting  satisfaction,  by  testimony  of  Friends 
and  one  for  another,  of  their  honest  conversation  and  unity 
•with  Friends  from  whence  they  came." — (Concord  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1719. — "  Where  any  Friends  remove  their  habitation,  .  .  . 
they  ought  to  apply  for,  and,  if  no  objection  against  it,  to  have 
a  certificate  of  their  good  life,  and  conversation,  and  circum- 
stances, according  to  Truth  and  justice,  as  they  may  deserve," 
&c. — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1722. — "  And  as  the  ancient  and  continued  use  of  certificates 
hath  been  of  great  service  in  preserving  our  unity  and  reputa- 
tion as  a  people,  so  we  are  of  one  mind  with  our  brethren  in 
England,  to  encourage  and  advise  to  the  careful  observance 
of  it." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1744. — "  This  meeting,  having  deliberately  considered  the 
matter  of  Friends  removing  from  one  Monthly  Meeting  to 
another,  do  agree  that  it  is  a  fault  for  any  Friend  to  remove, 
as  aforesaid,  without  first  applying  for  a  certificate,"  &c. — 
(Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1750. — "  This  meeting  is  of  opinion,  that  where  it  appears 
any  person,  removed  from  the  meeting  he  belonged  to,  hath 


FAMILY  VISITS. 


205 


neglected  to  deliver  his  certificate  to  the  meeting  to  which  it 
is  directed,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  said  first  meeting  to  send  a 

copy  of  the  certificate  after  them  ;  in  order  to  which, 

copies  should  be  kept  of  all  certificates  that  are  granted." — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 

1761. — "I  C  's  certificate  is  returned  from  Exeter 

Monthly  Meeting,  by  reason  the  settlement  of  his  outward 
aff"airs  was  not  ascertained  in  said  certificate." — (Concord 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

178G. — "  Men  Friends  informed  this  meeting  that  they  pro- 
posed declining  to  appoint  a  man  Friend  to  assist  women  in 
drawing  certificates  of  removal  for  single  women  ;  but  that  one 
or  more  should  be  appointed  in  each  branch  (for  them)  to  apply 
to  occasionally;  which,  being  considered,  is  united  with." — 
(New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting  of  Women.) 


CHAPTER  X. 

FAMILY  VISITS. 

1709. — "  It  having  been  proposed  that  there  is  a  necessity 
for  some  Friends  to  be  appointed  in  each  quarter  of  this  meet- 
ing, to  visit  every  particular  family  of  Friends,  and  inquire 
into  their  state  in  relation  to  the  Truth ;  and  this  meeting, 
having  weightily  considered  the  matter,  do  agree  that  it  be 
absolutely  necessary,  and  that  it  will  be  of  service  to  the  Truth," 
&c.— (Falls  Monthly  Meeting). 

1713. — "  This  meeting  appoints  John  Lowdon,  Abraham 
Marshall,  John  Smith,  and  George  Robinson,  with  the  company 
of  the  Overseers,  to  go  and  visit  the  families  of  Friends  belong- 
ing to  this  meeting,  and  make  report,  after  it  is  done,  whether 
the  Book  of  Discipline  be  put  in  practice." — (Kennet  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1717. — "  This  meeting  agrees,  that  such  Monthly  Meetings 


20C 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


as  do  see  a  service  therein,  may  appoint  honest,  faithful,  and 
discreet  Friends,  to  visit  families  within  the  compass  of  such 
meetings,  respectively." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1723. — "  Forasmuch  as  we  have  accounts  from  divers  places, 
that  visiting  families  has  proved  beneficial  both  to  the  visitors 
and  the  visited,  where  Friends  are  in  the  practice  of  it;  therefore, 
we  can  do  no  less  than  earnestly  recommend  the  said  service  to 
the  general  practice  of  Friends,  both  men  and  women,  as  the 
respective  Monthly  Meetings  shall  direct  and  appoint.  And 
we  desire  that  none  be  discouraged,  but  seek  the  Lord  for 
assistance,  and  they  will  feel  love  to  flow  towards  God's  people 
and  children :  and  as  they  abide  in  that  love,  they  will  witness 
a  providential  hand  to  direct  and  give  them  acceptance  where 
they  come." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1733. — "Under  due  consideration  of  the  service  there  may 
be  in  visiting  the  families,  in  the  spirit  of  love  and  true  Christian 
charity,  in  order  to  the  stirring  one  another  up  to  the  main- 
tenance of  our  Christian  testimonies  by  an  agreeable  life  and 
conversation,  this  meeting  approves  of  the  Friends  mentioned 
at  the  last  meeting,  for  that  service, — the  said  Friends  signify- 
ing some  drawing  in  their  own  minds  that  way, — viz.,  Henry 
Oborn,  Benjamin  Mendenhall,  John  Townsend,  Benjamin  Cook, 
and  William  Pimm." — (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1737. — "  Forasmuch  as  the  Gospel  order  established  among 
us,  looks  only  into  oflFences  and  immoralities  already  committed, 
Friends  have  been  led  into  the  practice  of  visiting  particular  fami- 
lies, for  the  prevention  of  the  many  prevailing  evils  by  a  timely 
caution ;  which  labor  of  love  having  had  a  good  effect,  we 
earnestly  recommend  the  continuance  of  it." — (Y'^early  Meeting.) 

1747. — "  This  meeting  recommends  it  to  the  several  Quar- 
terly and  Monthly  Meetings  within  the  verge  of  this  meeting, 
to  revive  and  continue  the  practice  of  appointing  solid,  weighty 
Friends  and  elders,  with  some  of  the  ministers,  to  visit  the 
particular  families  within  their  respective  meetings ;  the  good 
effect  of  which  wholesome  and  serviceable  part  of  our  ancient 
practice  and  discipline,  hath  been  often  attended  with  the 
Divine  blessing,  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  those  concerned 


FAMILY  VISITS. 


207 


therein  ;  and  hath  been  a  means  of  preventing  many  growing 
inconveniences  and  customs  among  us,  which  it  may  be  difficult 
guarding  against  in  a  more  public  manner." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1753. — "  Where  any  Monthly  Meetings  are  backward  in  un- 
dertaking the  discharge  of  this  duty,  through  a  diffidence  in 
the  members  of  their  being  duly  qualified  for  it,  or  the  number 
of  weighty  Friends  and  elders  being  small,  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ings are  desired  to  assist  such  meetings,  by  inciting  and  engag- 
ing some  experienced  Friends  of  other  meetings  to  join  with 
them  therein." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1756.  — "  The  present  state  of  the  Church  requiring  the  most 
weighty  and  solid  attention  of  the  faithful,  it  is  the  earnest 
desire  and  expectation  of  this  meeting,  that  a  care  be  continued 
on  the  minds  of  Friends  to  enter  into  this  necessary  service, 
in  such  places  where  it  has  not  been  lately  performed,  and  to 
repeat  it  in  others,  as  they  may  be  assisted  and  directed  in  the 
wisdom  of  Truth." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1757.  — "  The  Friends  appointed  to  visit  the  families  within 
the  limits  of  this  Monthly  Meeting,  reported,  that  they  had 
performed  the  service  to  their  satisfaction ;  and  as  to  the  visited, 
there  appeared  to  be  a  general  satisfaction." — (Darby  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1778. — "  The  extracts  of  last  Yearly  Meeting  being  produced, 
and  that  part  read  relating  to  the  youth,  it  revived  a  concern 
which  prevailed  in  the  Yearly  Meeting,  for  the  advancement 
of  righteousness,  and  the  benefit  of  the  rising  generation,  both 
with  respect  to  their  pious  education  in  Friends'  families,  as 
also  their  school  education ;  Avhich  was  recommended  to  the 
attention  of  Quarterly  Meetings,  that  they  might  appoint  suit- 
able Friends  in  each  of  them,  as  committees  to  labor  for  a 
reformation  in  that,  as  well  as  for  a  due  and  Avakeful  attend- 
ance of  our  religious  meetings,  plainness  of  speech,  behavior, 
apparel,  and  household  furniture,  with  other  deficiences,  as 
contained  in  the  answers  to  the  Queries. 

"  And  our  Quarterly  Meeting  having  appointed  a  committee 
of  thirteen  Friends,  to  take  those  matters  under  their  care  and 
labor,  as  they  in  the  wisdom  of  Truth  may  be  enabled,  this 


208 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


meeting,  taking  into  consideration  the  appointment  of  a  com- 
mittee to  join  in  the  service  aforesaid,  agreeably  to  the  advice 
of  the  committee  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  many  of  whom 
attended  this  meeting,  do  appoint  Amos  Davies,  Amor  Hol- 
lingsworth,  Isaac  Chandler,  Enock  Wickersham,  Thomas 
Chandler,  and  Joshua  Way,  therefor." — (Kennet  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

For  the  Yearly  Meeting's  minute  here  referred  to,  see  under 
"  Discipline,  1777."  The  Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meetings 
appear,  generally,  to  have  responded  to  the  call  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting. 

1779. — "  The  committee  appointed  to  promote  a  reformation, 
reported  in  vpriting,  that  they  have  continued  to  meet  once  a 
month,  in  order  to  confer  on  the  weighty  subjects  committed  to 
their  care,  and,  as  Avay  opened,  from  time  to  time  have  visited 
divers  families  within  the  compass  of  each  Particular  Meeting ; 
first,  to  the  overseers  in  their  families,  who  generally  unite 
with  us  in  the  concern  and  labor;  have  also  visited  divers  other 
families  ;  and  some  of  us  have  of  late  joined  with  some  of  the 
Quarterly  Meeting's  Committee,  in  a  visit  to  the  families  of 
Friends  that  fill  the  foremost  stations  in  society. 

"  In  which  we  have  had  satisfaction,  and  believe  the  Truth 
has  owned  the  labor.  The  committee  is  continued,  and  David 
Graves  added  at  his  own  request." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1782. — "We,  the  committee  to  promote  a  reformation  as 
directed  by  the  Yearly  Meeting,  have  continued  to  give  atten-  * 
tion  to  this  weighty  concern ;  as  way  opened,  have  visited  all 
the  families  belonging  to  this  meeting,  and  ninety  of  them  since 
our  last  report ;  and  although  we  were  impressed  with  a  deep 
sense  of  our  incapacity  to  forward  so  great  a  work,  yet  as  our 
eye  was  kept  single  to  the  Shepherd  of  Israel,  we  have  been 
helped  thus  far  to  discharge  this  important  trust,  to  the  peace 
of  our  own  minds,  and  believe  that  a  fresh  visitation  was 
vouchsafed  to  many  of  the  youth,  and  some  further  advanced 
in  years.    And  as  we  had,  in  the  performance  of  this  service, 


FAMILY  VISITS. 


209 


often  to  view  the  desolations  of  our  Zion,  and  some  sense  given 
of  the  state  of  things  among  us,  we  are  free  to  make  a  few 
remarks  thereon. 

"  Notwithstanding  there  are,  wo  trust,  a  considerable  num- 
ber belonging  to  this  meeting  who  are  earnestly  concerned  to 
come  up  in  the  footsteps  of  the  flock  of  Christ's  companions, 
and  that  they  may,  in  all  respects,  exhibit  an  example  which 
may  convey  an  inviting  language  to  others  to  come  up  to  the 
mountain  of  the  Lord  ;  yet  the  spirit  of  the  world,  having  too 
much  had  the  ascendency,  whereby  MTong  things  crept  in 
among  us,  the  effects  thereof  are  yet  obvious  in  the  houses  and 
among  the  children  of  some  who  are  in  a  good  degree  sincere. 
And  with  sorrow  it  may  be  observed,  that  the  worldly  spirit 
and  the  love  of  money  remains  too  prevalent  in  some,  whereby 
the  sight  of  many  is  dim  in  regard  to  the  beauty  of  holiness, 
and  the  necessity  of  doing  whatsoever  they  do  for  the  glory  of 
God,  and  for  the  spreading  the  precious  testimonies  of  Truth 
in  the  earth. 

"And  further,  notwithstanding  the  concern  of  Society,  and 
the  extensive  labor  which  hath  been  bestowed,  both  publicly 
and  privately,  in  oi"der  that  we  might  come  out  of  the  world's 
spirit,  ways,  customs,  and  fashions,  it  is  lamentable  to  view 
some  of  our  youth,  of  both  sexes,  who,  by  their  conduct  and 
appearance,  abundantly  manifest  that  they  are  not  redeemed 
therefrom,  but  are  in  the  air  gratifying  that  eye  which  is  never 
satisfied  with  seeing,  but  ready  to  imitate  every  vain  fashion 
which  the  unstable  mind  may  invent.  And  we  wish  we  had 
'cause  to  believe  all  parents  were  clear  in  these  respects. 

"  Thus  we  thought  best  to  be  somewhat  particular,  in  order 
that  the  concern  may,  in  a  clear,  weighty  manner,  come  before 
the  Monthly  Meeting  for  consideration ;  and  may  wisdom  be 
felt  after  to  point  out  what  may  be  best  for  carrying  on  this 
desirable  and  necessary  work,  that  no  inconsistencies  may  re- 
main among  us ;  and  that  none  of  us,  who  have  indeed  been 
favored  above  all  the  families  of  the  earth,  may  remain  as 
stumbling-blocks  in  the  way  of  such  of  our  youth  or  others 
who,  under  the  tendering  visitation  of  Divine  Goodness,  may 

U 


210 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


be  inquiring  tlie  way  to  Zion  ;  or  to  any  who,  in  these  times  of 
shaking,  may  see  the  insufficiency  of  their  foundation,  and  be 
induced  to  look  towards  us. 

"  Signed,  on  behalf  of  the  committee,  by 

Joel  Baily, 
"Edith  Baily." 
(New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

There  is  probably  no  duty  resting  upon  our  religious  Society 
more  imperatively  called  for,  Avhich  would  be  more  produc- 
tive of  good  results,  than  that  of  visiting  families,  so  often  re- 
commended and  so  successfully  practised  by  our  forefathers, 
but  now  so  much  neglected.  As  an  excuse  for  this  neglect,  we 
are  sometimes  told  that  the  service  is  a  delicate  one  ;  that  those 
who  engage  in  it  must  have  clean  hands.  This  is  certainly 
very  desirable,  but  ought  not  to  be  deemed  indispensable. 
Such  a  conclusion  is  based  upon  a  mistaken  view  of  the  true 
nature  and  design  of  religious  society,  the  essential  end  of 
which  is  mutual  help  and  encouragement ;  that  whatever  ad- 
vantages the  clean-handed,  the  upright,  the  strong  in  faith, 
may  possess,  yet  even  the  licentious,  the  doubting,  the  halt  and 
lame,  may  profitably  admonish,  and  receive  admonition  from, 
each  other. 

When  a  religious  concern  is  felt  to  visit  families,  whether  it 
be  by  a  committee  of  the  Monthly  Meeting,  by  a  minister 
bearing  a  certificate  of  approbation  to  a  neighboring  meeting 
to  visit  the  families  thereof,  or  merely  the  individual  concern 
of  a  Friend  to  visit  a  fellow-member  and  inquire  after  his 
spiritual  welfare,  if  the  concern  is  properly  abode  under  and 
submitted  to,  strength  will  be  afforded  to  perform  the  required 
service.  By  yielding  too  readily  to  discouragements,  Friends 
are  too  much  disposed  to  put  by  concerns  of  this  nature,  to 
the  manifest  injury  of  the  cause  of  Truth.    A  Friend  writes 

to  us  that  and  have  recently  visited  the  families  of 

their  Monthly  Meeting,  the  first  visit  of  the  kind  for  thirty- 
nine  years.  In  commenting  on  the  benefits  experienced  from 
this  visit,  he  says  : — 


MUTUAL  HELP. 


211 


"  The  frequent  attendance  of  our  Friends  from  neighboring 
meetings  has  a  strong  tendency  to  cement  and  strengthen.  I 
verily  believe  that  if  concerned  Friends  -would  cast  off  the 
lethargy  which  so  much  prevails,  and  not  allow  themselves  to 
rust  out,  their  hands  would  no  longer  hang  down  ;  their  lights 
would  be  placed  on  a  candlestick,  and  not  under  a  bushel ; 
while  others,  seeing  their  humility  and  zeal  for  the  cause  of 
righteousness  corresponding  with  their  good  works,  would  be 
greatly  strengthened  and  encouraged.  If  we  were  thus  faith- 
ful, we  should  often  feel  constrained  to  go  and  sit  with  our 
Friends  in  the  neighboring  meetings  as  our  fathers  did  for- 
merly, where,  peradventure,  we  might  be  favored  to  expe- 
rience together  an  anointing  with  the  oil  of  gladness.  Thus 
we  should  find  the  interest  of  the  young  people  and  some  of 
riper  years  would  be  greatly  increased,  to  the  enlargement  of 
our  meetings ;  and  the  growth  and  extension  of  the  testi- 
monies we  profess  to  maintain  would  he  the  golden  fruits." 

The  above  suggestion  is  deserving  of  the  serious  considera- 
tion of  every  religiously-concerned  member  of  our  Society. 


CHAPTER  XL 

MUTUAL  HELP. 

The  principles  professed  by  Friends,  when  properly  lived 
out,  naturally  lead  to  industry  and  frugality.  While  they 
lessen  the  wants,  they  furnish  the  means  to  supply  them. 
Hence,  they  need  not  and  do  not  have  many  poor  among 
them  ;  but  causes  beyond  individual  control  or  human  fore- 
sight may  sometimes  occasion  destitution.  It  has  ever  been 
the  practice  of  Friends  to  look  after  and  support  their  own 
poor,  without  any  charge  to  others. 

The  devastations  of  war,  of  pestilence,  or  the  failure  of  crops 
may  sometimes  expose  large  communities  to  present  want, 


212 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


while  casualities  of  a  local  nature  may  similarly  affect  indi- 
viduals for  a  season. 

The  necessity  for  expending  large  sums  of  money  for 
Society  purposes,  building  meeting-houses,  &c.,  may  also  be- 
come oppressive  when  borne  by  the  parties  immediately  con- 
cerned. 

In  all  such  cases  Friends  have  contributed  with  a  liberal 
hand. 

1678. — "  It  was  agreed  that  a  collection  be  made  once  a 
month  for  the  relief  of  the  poor,  and  such  other  necessary 
uses  as  may  occur.  The  persons  appointed  to  receive  it  are 
John  Woolstone  and  William  Peeche,  to  be  collectecJ  the  first 
day  before  the  Monthly  Meeting." — (Burlington  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1680. — "  It  was  now  concluded,  that  because  some,  through 
sickness,  weakness,  or  death  of  relations,  may  be  reduced  to 
want  or  distress,  care  should  be  taken  to  administer  present 
supplies ;  and  John  Hart  and  Henry  Waddy,  for  the  upper 
part  of  the  county,  and  Thomas  Bowman  and  Henry  Lewes, 
for  the  city  and  lower  part  of  the  county,  were  appointed  to 
visit  the  poor  and  sick,  and  administer  what  they  should  judge 
convenient,  at  the  expense  of  the  Monthly  Meeting." — 
(Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1683. — "  William^Biles  hath  this  day  acquainted  the  meet- 
ing that  T   A  ,  of  Neshamony,  hath  made  him  ac- 
quainted that  he  is  in  want  as  to  his  outward  concerns ;  and 
he,  with  some  others,  had  took  his  condition  into  their  conside- 
ration, and  have  bought  him  a  cow  and  calf, — the  price  is  five 
pounds, — and  do  desire  this  meeting's  assistance  towards  the 
payment  of  said  cow  and  calf;  to  which  this  meeting  doth  con- 
sent, and  doth  appoint  the  Friends  subscribed  to  take  care  to 
raise  the  money  Friends  are  willing  to  contribute  towards  the 
said  five  pounds. 

"  For  Neshamony. — John  Otter, 
"  Robert  Hall, 
"  For  the  Falls. — John  Brookes, 

"  PfllNEAS  PeMBERTON." 

(Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 


MUTUAL  HELP. 


213 


1687. — "  T  A          saith  that  both  he  and  his  family 

are  so  weak  that  they  are  not  able  to  thresh  a  little  corn,  nor 
hath  gotten  any  hay  for  his  cattle,  and  therefore  desires  some 
assistance  from  Friends ;  whereupon  the  meeting  requested 
Phoebe  Blackshaw  to  acquaint  him,  if  any  man  could  be  had 
to  assist  him,  they  would  take  care  to  see  him  satisfied." — 
(Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

We  do  not  know  at  what  time  men  and  Avomen  began  to  hold 
their  meetings  distinct.  It  is  likely  Phoebe  Blackshaw  lived 
near  to  T  A  's  place  of  residence. 

1693. — "  Henry  Baker  informed  this  meeting  that  he  be- 
lieved J  C  's  family  lived  in  necessity,  and  are  short 

of  corn  and  other  necessaries  ;  wherefore  their  condition  is 
referred  to  the  next  Quarterly  Meeting." — (Falls  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1697. — "  It  was  ordered  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  that 
every  Monthly  Meeting  subscribe  and  contribute  unto  the  great 
want  and  necessity  of  Friends  and  others  in  the  Eastern  coun- 
try of  New  England,  by  reason  of  the  Indians  making  inroads 
upon  them,  burning  and  destroying  the  habitations  and  the 
lives  of  many,  and  by  reason  of  the  failing  of  their  crops;  in 
concurrence  with  which  order,  £37  5s.  Bd.  have  been  sub- 
scribed."— (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

In  such  cases  of  extensive  suffering,  it  was  usual  for  the 
Yearly  or  Quarterly  Meeting,  as  the  case  might  be,  to  send 
the  information  down  to  the  smaller  branches,  where  greater 
or  less  sums  would  be  raised. 

In  the  above  case,  we  observe  that — 

Falls  Monthly  Meeting  gave  £15  16s.  8d. 

Abington       "  "    £12   4s.  Od.,  &c.  &c. 

1699. — "J  P  being  in  necessity  of  a  cow,  having 

lost  one,  and  being  in  necessity  of  milk  for  his  children,  this 
meeting  have  lent  him  £5  for  one  year  to  buy  one.  Also,  it  is 


214 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


ordered,  that  Robert  Pyle  shall  take  a  bond  of  him,  in  the 
meeting's  behalf." — (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1701. — "Information  being  given  to  this  meeting  that  W  

P — ^  is  very  poor  and  in  necessity,  this  meeting  orders  Joseph 
Kirkbride,  Samuel  Dark,  and  Peter  Worral,  to  get  a  good  pair 
of  leather  '  briches,'  and  a  good  warm  coat  and  "waistcoat,  one 

pair  of  stockings  and  shoes,  for  the  said  W  P  ,  and 

make  a  report  of  the  charge  to  the  next  meeting." — (Falls 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1703. — "  A  committee  was  appointed  to  relieve  a  poor- 
Friend  -who  had  broken  his  leg.  They  reported  that  they  had 
agreed  to  pay  the  doctor  <£18 ;  which  was  approved,  and  or- 
dered to  be  done." — (Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1714. — "  Germantown  Meeting  reported  having  lent  a  woman 
Friend  three  shillings,  she  not  being  willing  to  accept  it  as  a 
gift." — (Abington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1719. — "A  P  's  condition  is  such  that  he  is  reduced 

to  poverty,  and  doth  stand  in  need  of  some  assistance,  particu- 
larly a  cow  ;  therefore,  this  meeting  doth  appoint  John  Dawson 

to  procure  one  He  bought  one  of  John  Bye,  and  the 

price  was  three  pounds  and  ten  shillings  ;  which  this  meeting 
orders  to  be  paid." — (Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1721. — "  The  cow  formerly  lent  to  A  P  by  this 

meeting,  is  referred  to  Buckingham  Monthly  Meeting  for 
further  order  and  disposal,  as  they  think  most  convenient." — 
(Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  cow  was  loaned  to  A  P  for  two  years,  when 

she  was  to  be  returned.  But,  by  a  division  of  Falls  Monthly 
Meeting,  he  (A.  P.)  fell  to  the  lot  of  Buckingham  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, and  the  right  of  the  cow  was  transferred  by  the  foregoing 
minute.  She  was  afterward  loaned  to  him  for  another  year, 
by  a  minuie  of  the  latter  meeting.  Tradition  says  he  did  not 
provide  well  for  her,  and  she  was  taken  from  him,  fed,  and 
slaughtered,  and  the  beef  given  to  such  persons  as  had  none. 

1721. — "  It  is  advised  by  this  meeting,  that  all  poor  Friends 


MUTUAL  HELP. 


215 


among  us  may  be  taken  due  care  of,  and  that  none  of  them  be 
sent  elsewhere  for  relief,  according  to  Friends  ancient  care  and 
practice." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1732. — "  Kennet  Preparative  Meeting  reported  that  — 

C  ,  Jr.,  and  his  wife,  want  relief ;  therefore,  the  meeting 

appoints  Abraham  Marshall,  Peter  Collins,  William  Harvey, 
Ellis  Lewis,  Christopher  Wilson,  and  Gayon  Miller,  to  see  how 
affairs  are  with  them." 

"  They  find  that  they  have  necessity  of  a  house  to  live  in, 
and  have  ordered  one  to  be  built." 

"  The  charge  of  building-  I  C  's  house  amounts  to 

£1  18s.  8d. ;  which  this  meeting  orders  to  be  paid." — (Kennet 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1756. — "  Thomas  Bulla  and  Isaac  Whitelock  are  appointed 
to  go  to  the  back  inhabitants,  and  distribute  our  collections 
among  the  distressed  poor  which  are  driven  from  their  habita- 
tions by  the  Indians." — (Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1759. — "  Our  Preparative  Meeting  have  agreed  with  Alex- 
ander Foreman  to  keep  N          M  (a  poor  Friend)  one 

year,  with  sufficient  meat,  drink,  washing,  and  lodging,  shaving, 
and  leading  him  to  meetings,  for  fifteen  pounds,  ten  shillings ; 

provided  said  N  continues  in  usual  health,  as  heretofore." 

— (Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

During  the  disturbance  which  preceded  and  accompanied 
the  War  of  Independence,  much  suffering  was  the  consequence 
among  the  poorer  classes,  especially  in  the  frontier  settlements. 
In  1775,  Kennet  Monthly  Meeting  acknowledges  the  reception 
of  "  subscription  papers  for  the  relief  of  the  distressed  inhabi- 
tants of  Massachusetts,  and  other  parts  of  New  England,"  and 
made  an  appointment  accordingly. 

1775.  — "  The  Friends  appointed  to  take  in  subscriptions  for 
the  relief  of  the  poor  and  destitute  of  New  England,  reported, 
they  have  taken  in  subscriptions  to  the  amount  of  ^£33  14s." 
—(Darby  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1776.  — "  This  meeting  received  a  written  account  from  a 


216 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


member  of  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  in  New  England,  con- 
cerning the  necessities  and  distresses  of  the  poor  thereaway, 
and  a  distribution  of  a  considerable  sum  of  the  money  con- 
tributed by  Friends  in  Pennsylvania  and  the  Jerseys ;  and 
of  the  care  taken  in  the  distribution,  not  to  do  anything  that 
might  give  reproach  to  our  Society ;  which,  it  appears,  hath 
been  well  approved  by  the  contending  parties,  and  gratefully 
received  by  the  poor,  who  were  mostly  those  of  other  socie- 
ties."— (Western  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

1778,  —  "The  committee  appointed  in  1775  to  take  in 
subscriptions  and  collect  money  for  the  poor  and  suffering 
inhabitants  of  New  England  and  other  places,  by  the  present 
calamitous  state  of  public  affairs,  report, — that  they  have 
collected  one  hundred  and  eighty-eight  pounds  eighteen  shil- 
lings ;  which  they  have  paid  into  the  hands  of  John  Reynolds, 
treasurer,  and  have  produced  three  receipts  for  the  same,  viz. : 

"1775,  8th  mo.,  7th,  one  for  .£100   Os.  Od. 

"  1776,  9th  mo.,  26th,  one  for    83   7s.  8d. 

"1778,  3d  mo.,  25th,  one  for     5  10s.  Gd.—£18S  18s." 

(Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

About  the  year  1801,  the  Continental  wars  and  the  failure 
of  crops  caused  much  want  and  suffering  among  many  in  Eng- 
land and  Ireland.  The  Yearly  Meeting  of  Philadelphia,  in  its 
Epistle  to  London,  says  : — 

1801. — "  Our  minds  have  been  impressed  with  humble  thank- 
fulness, in  the  remembrance  of  the  many  favors  we  enjoy  from 
the  All-bountiful  Hand  ;  under  which  sensations,  a  disposition 
became  prevalent  to  share  with  you  a  portion  of  the  abundance 
with  which  we  have  been  blessed." — (Philadelphia  Epistle.) 

"  The  committee  appointed  to  promote  subscriptions  for  the 
relief  of  our  brethren  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  report 
that  they  have  collected  from  Friends  of 

"New  Garden  Meeting,  .  .  P4  12 
"West  Grove  "...  122  13 
"By  Women,      ....      42  50— $248  75." 

(New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 


MUTUAL  HELP. 


217 


The  records,  now  before  me,  further  show  that  London 
Grove  Meeting  gave  S384  23. 

Kennet  Monthly  Meeting  (men),     .    .  $324  75 

"  "  (women),     .     98  75— $418  50 

MiJdletown,  Bucks  County,   447  85 

In  this  way  there  appears  to  have  been  conti'ibuted,  within 
the  limits  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  the  sum  of  £5691,  or  $15,176. 
The  following  documents,  forwarded  from  the  Meeting  for  Suf- 
ferings in  London,  will  show  how  it  was  received  and  disposed 
of:— 

"Meeting  for  Sufferings,  tbe  5tli  of  tbird  month,  1802. 
"  The  following  report,  from  the  committee  on  the  Pennsyl- 
vania donation,  was  brought  in  and  read :  '  One  of  the  corre- 
spondents is  desired  to  send  a  copy  of  it  to  the  correspondents 
in  Philadelphia. 

"'J.  G.  Bevan.'" 

"  Committee  on  the  American  Fund, 

otli  of  the  third  mouth,  1802. 

the  Meeting  for  Sufferings: 

"  Pursuant  to  instruction,  this  committee  has  entered  on  the 
distribution  of  the  fund  raised  in  America,  and  made  such  an 
appropriation  as  appeared  to  it  most  accordant  with  the  views 
of  the  benevolent  contributors. 

"  In  order  to  obtain  the  information  necessary  for  its  gui- 
dance, a  letter  was  sent  to  a  number  of  judicious  Friends  in 
diflferent  districts  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  including  Ireland, 
inviting  them  to  make  inquiry  after  suitable  objects,  and  pro- 
posing certain  questions,  the  answers  to  which  might  assist  the 
committee  in  a  just  and  feeling  distribution.  And,  as  it  was 
deemed  important  that  the  care  of  Monthly  Meetings  over 
their  poor  should  be  in  no  degree  relaxed,  discouragement  was 
offered  to  the  presentation  of  cases  supplied  through  that 
channel. 

"  From  accounts  thus  collected,  the  committee  has  already 
apportioned  the  sum  of  five  thousand  and  ninety-four  pounds, 


218 


RETROSPECT  OP  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


to  six  hundred  and  sixty-one  cases,  including  eighteen  hundred 
and  eighty  individuals ;  and  it  has  reason  to  apprehend  that 
not  a  few  more  are  likely  to  be  brought  forward. 

"  On  remitting  the  money  to  the  Friends  through  whom  it 
was  proposed  to  be  handed,  request  was  made  that  the  whole 
assigned  to  each  respective  case  might  be  handed  at  once ;  and 
that  the  feelings  of  none  might  be  hurt  by  disclosing  to  others 
what  was  severally  distributed. 

"  The  committee  has  reason  to  believe  that  its  views  have 
been,  in  general,  carefully  complied  with ;  and  while  it  con- 
templates with  comfort  the  assistance  that  has  been  yielded,  it 
considers  it  but  just  to  our  American  brethren  warmly  to  ac- 
knowledge their  benevolence  and  sympathy,  and  to  add,  that 
the  cases  which  have  been  brought  to  view,  and  the  gratitude 
and  thankfulness  which  have  been  expressed,  abundantly  evince 
the  importance  of  the  aid  that  has  been  administered. 
"  Signed  by  direction  of  the  committee. 

"  George  Stagey." 


CHAPTER  XII. 

MARRIAGES. 

In  the  early  period  of  our  history,  the  proper  ordering  of 
marriages  occupied  a  large  share  of  the  attention  of  Monthly 
Meetings.  The  acknowledged  importance  of  suitable  marriage 
relations,  and  the  constant  liability  to  be  led  into  hasty  and  ill- 
advised  connections,  rendered  this  care  necessary. 

The  following  is  the  earliest  marriage  certificate  that  we 
have  seen : — 

1677. — "  This  is  to  satisfy  whom  it  may  concern,  that  Abra- 
ham Strand  and  Parlo  C.  Nicholson  take  each  other  as  husband 
and  wife,  this  25th  day  of  the  ninth  month  (called  November), 


MARRIAGES. 


219 


in  the  year  1G77,  before  us,  who  are  witnesses  hereunto,  in 
our  meeting  at  Salem,  West  Jersey. 
"  Signed  by 

"  Samuel  Nicholson,  "Richard  Guy, 

"Richard  Roberson,  "Peter  Cornelius, 

"Thomas  Storley,  "Edward  Bradway, 

"Mary  Saunders,  "Hance  Strabo, 

"  Prudence  Wade,  "  Nathan  Smart, 

"Margaret  Simms." — (Salem  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1678. — "  Obadiah  Judkins  and  Obedience  Jenncr  acquainted 
this  Meeting,  and  also  Women's  Meeting,  with  their  intentions 
of  coming  together  as  husband  and  wife,  according  to  the  order 
of  Truth.  Now,  inasmuch  as  the  young  woman  is  but  lately 
come  forth  of  England,  and  Friends  have  no  certain  knowledge 
of  her,  the  advice  of  Men  and  Women's  Meeting  is,  that  they 
forbear,  and  proceed  no  further,  till  a  certificate  be  procured 
out  of  England  from  the  meeting  where  she  last  belonged 
unto,  of  her  being  clear  from  others,  and  as  to  the  manner  of 
her  life  and  conversation,  that  so  the  Truth  may  be  kept  clear 
in  all  things ;  both  the  parties  being  willing  to  submit  to  the 
same,  and  also  to  live  apart  in  the  meantime." — (Thirdhaven 
Half- Year's  Meeting.) 

1683. — "This  day  we  received  an  account  from  the  Friends 
of  the  Men's  Meeting  at  Burlington,  concerning  their  proceed- 
ings with  Samuel  Dark,  relating  to  marriage,  &c. 

"  To  our  dear  friends  and  brethren  of  the  Monthly  Meeting 
for  the  County  of  Bucks,  in  Pennsylvania. 

"  Dear  Friends, — With  love  unfeigned,  in  the  holy  covenant  of 
life  do  we  greet,  and  in  duty  salute  you,  blessing  God  for  that 
holy  communion  and  fellowship  which  he  hath  graciously 
brought  his  people  up  to,  and  doth  defend  and  preserve  them 
in,  where  being  kept,  our  greatest  care  will  be  for  the  honor  of 
God  and  the  good  of  his  people. 

"  Dear  Friends,  we  are  comforted  concerning  many  of  you, 
being  fully  assured  of  your  integrity  and  service  in  the  Lord, 
and  are  glad  our  lot  has  fallen  so  near  each  other,  and  do 
desire  that  in  this  service  and  work  of  God  which  he  is  carrying 


220 


RETROSPECT  OP  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


on  as  vrell  here  as  elsewhere,  it  will  make  glorious  in  his  time, 
that  we  may  be  all  packed  together,  and  knit  by  that  holy 
bond  which  the  strongest  powers  of  darkness  are  not  able  to  break. 

"  Dear  Friends,  as  to  the  business  of  Samuel  Dark  and  his 
friend,  we  are  informed  that  he  hath  a  certificate  come,  and 
therefore  our  exercise  as  to  that  is  nearly  ended ;  yet  still  we 
are  desirous,  according  to  our  former  intentions,  to  give  you  a 
naked  serious  account ;  wherefore  we  have  laid  such  an  injunc- 
tion upon  all,  of  having  certificates  when  their  marriages  were 
presented,  that  came  single  and  marriageable  into  this  country. 

"  We  had  many  marriages  that  came  before  us,  Avhere  little 
could  be  certified  concerning  the  persons,  yet  earnestly  pressing 
the  accomplishment  of  the  matter,  which  became  a  great  strait 
and  exercise  to  honest  Friends,  on  whom  God  had  laid  the 
care  of  his  honor  ;  but  for  a  time  permitting  such  marriages, 
constantly  expressing  ourselves  not  satisfied  therewith,  still 
desiring  that  care  might  be  taken  for  the  future,  that  things 
too  doubtful  and  dangerous  might  not  be  put  upon  us  ;  request- 
ing the  care  and  help  of  Friends  in  England,  to  inform  such  as 
came  over  that  they  might  bring  certificates  with  them,  giving 
notice,  through  our  respective  meetings,  that  it  was  expected ; 
also  informing  all  how  they  might  be  helped  by  the  Monthly 
Meetings  here,  in  their  sending  ;  yet,  notwithstanding,  it  was  no 
better,  and  the  old  practice  continued  and  grew  among  us,  and 
the  burden  of  the  upright  grew  with  it;  some  alleging,  that 
such  and  such  were  passed,  and  why  not  we  ? 

"  So  that  finding  it  of  that  dangerous  consequence,  and  that 
it  strengthened  the  wrong  part  and  hurt  the  good,  we  can  say, 
in  the  sight  of  God  and  his  people,  a  necessity  was  laid  upon 
us  to  do  what  we  did,  singly  eyeing  the  glory  of  God  and  ad- 
vancement of  Truth  in  it.  So,  not  doubting  that  w^e  shall  be 
felt  and  credited,  and  strengthened  by  you  herein,  we  subscribe 
ourselves,  by  order  and  on  behalf  of  our  Men's  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, held  at  Burlington,  the  2d  of  the  sixth  month,  1683,  your 
friends  and  brethren,  in  the  love  and  travail  of  the  Truth, 

"  Samuel  Jennings, 
"  Thomas  Budd." 
(Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 


MARRIAGES. 


221 


1684. — "  It  is  agreed  that  all  professing  Truth,  before  they 
proceed  in  marriage,  do  publish  their  intention  before  the  men 
and  women  at  our  Monthly  Meeting." — (Chesterfield  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1684. — "  Richard  Hough  and  Margaret  Clows  have  again 
appeared  in  the  meeting,  and  do  desire  the  meeting's  consent 
to  take  each  other  in  marriage.  And  Friends  ordered  to  make 
inquiry  do  say  that  they  find  nothing,  but  they  are  both  clear; 
therefore,  the  meeting  doth  leavex;them  at  liberty  to  proceed 
in  marriage ;  and  doth  order  Thomas  Janney  and  William 
Yardley  to  see  the  same  orderly  done  and  performed." — 
(Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1684. — "  John  Pemberton,  of  Tuckahoe,  Talbot  County, 
cooper,  and  Margaret  Matthews,  of  the  same  place  and  county, 
spinster,  having  declared  their  intentions  of  marriage  with 
each  other  before  several  public  meetings  of  the  people  of 
God,  called  Quakers,  of  the  county  aforesaid,  according  to 
the  good  order  used  among  them,  whose  proceedings  therein, 
after  deliberate  consideration  thereof,  they  appearing  clear  of 
all  others,  were  approved  by  said  meeting.  Now,  these  are 
to  certify  all  whom  it  may  concern,  that,  for  the  full  deter- 
mining their  said  intentions,  this  11th  day  of  the  fourth  month 
(commonly  called  June),  in  the  year  1684,  they,  the  said  John 
Pemberton  and  Margaret  Matthews,  appeared  in  a  solemn  and 
public  assembly  of  the  said  people,  and  others,  met  together 
for  that  end  and  purpose,  at  the  public  meeting-house  of  the 
said  people,  and,  according  to  the  example  of  the  holy  men  of 
God  recorded  in  the  Scriptures  of  Truth,  he,  the  said  John 
Pemberton,  taking  the  said  Margaret  Matthews  by  the  hand  did 
openly  declare  as  follows  : — 

"  '  Friends,  you  are  here  witness,  in  the  presence  of  God 
and  this  assembly  of  his  people,  I  take  this  maid,  Margaret 
Matthews,  to  be  my  loving  and  lawful  wife,  promising  to  be  a 
true  and  faithful  husband  unto  her,  till  death  shall  us  part.' 
And  then  and  there  in  the  same  assembly,  she,  the  said 
Margaret  Matthews,  did  in  like  manner  declare  :  '  Friends, 
before  God  and  you  his  people,  I  take  John  Pemberton  to  be 


222 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


my  husband,  promising  to  be  a  loving  and  faithful  wife  until 
death  shall  us  part.'  And  the  said  John  Pemberton  and 
Margaret  Matthews,  as  a  further  confirmation  thereof,  did 
then  and  there  set  their  hands. 

"John  Pemberton, 

lier 

"  Margaret  /<  Matthews. 

mark. 

"  And  we  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed,  being  pre- 
sent among  others  at  the  solemnization  of  said  marriage  and 
subscription  in  manner  above  said,  thereto  have  also  to  these 
presents  subscribed.  (William  Berry,"  and  twenty-seven 
others.) — (Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Women  appear  to  have  subscribed  their  maiden  names  to 
marriage  certificates  up  to  1686,  when  they  began  to  assume 
the  name  of  the  husband.  There  are  some  peculiarities  in 
this  certificate,  though  nearly  approaching  the  present  form. 

1688.— "The  Quarterly  Meeting  being  held  at  Edward 
Blake's,  at  Newcastle,  Edward  Blake  and  Hannah  Decow, 
appearing  before  the  meeting,  signified  their  intentions  of 
marriage.  The  meeting  appoint  Cornelius  Empson  and 
Robert  Ashton  to  make  inquiry  concerning  the  clearness  of 
the  said  Hannah  ;  and  John  Alloway  and  George  Hogg  to 
make  inquiry  concerning  the  clearness  of  Edward  Blake ;  and 
to  make  report  thereof  to  the  next  Monthly  Meeting.  Like- 
wise Cornelius  Empson  and  Robert  Ashton  are  desired  by 
this  meeting  to  send  to  the  said  Hannah  Decow's  brother 
(living  at  Burlington)  an  account  of  her  intentions,  and  to 
hear  his  opinion  thereof ;  that  the  next  Monthly  Meeting  may 
be  satisfied  concerning  it." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1688. — "  J  R  signified  to  this  meeting  that  he  was 

inclined  to  marry  T          B  's  daughter,  and  desired  the 

meeting's  advice;  which  advises  that  he. refrain  her  company  at 
present,  and  wait  to  feel  the  Lord  carry  it  on  in  his  own  time. 
With  the  advice  of  his  friends  he  is  satisfied."     But,  only 


MARRIAGES. 


223 


seven  months  after,  we  read  :  "  J  E,          and  M  

B  laid  their  intentions  of  marriage  before  the  meeting." 

— (Thirdhavcn  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1688.  — "  William  Homes  and  Joan  Davis  came  before  this 
meeting  and  signified  their  intentions  of  marriage.  It  is 
ordered,  that  the  meeting  send  a  fe^Y  lines  to  the  meeting  at 
Salem,  to  inquire  of  the  clearness  of  said  Homes,  he  coming 
thence  last ;  and  also,  that  Thomas  Connoway  and  Thomas 
Pierson  make  inquiry  at  Newcastle  and  at  Christiana  Creek 
concerning  the  clearness  of  the  said  couple." — (Kennet 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  manifested  care  of  early  Friends  to  ascertain  that  par- 
ties proposing  marriage  were  clear  of  similar  engagements  with 
others,  indicate  the  licentiousness  of  the  age  in  that  particular. 
The  attempts  made  in  England  to  invalidate  marriages  accom- 
plished by  the  order  of  Friends,  Avas  another  reason  why  they 
should  be  conducted  with  strict  decorum. 

Persons  not  members  sometimes  wished  to  accomplish  their 
marriage  among  Friends,  and  were  permitted  to  do  so.  Think- 
ing, perhaps,  that  the  sanction  of  their  solemnities  would 
strengthen  the  bond  of  union,  and  render  the  marriage  cove- 
nant more  sacred.    Thus — 

1689.  — "  William  Hughes  and  Sarah  Bezar  declared  their 
intentions  of  marriage  with  each  other,  it  being  the  second 
time.  The  Friends  ordered  to  inquire  of  their  clearness,  life, 
and  conversation,  report  to  this  meeting  they  find  nothing  to 
obstruct.  And  whereas  the  young  man,  heretofore,  had  been 
given  to  be  something  wild,  he  of  late  years  was  become  more 
sober,  it  was  proposed  by  Friends  to  the  young  man  and  wo- 
man, whether  he  did  believe  it  was  the  Truth  we  professed  and 
walked  in,  according  to  our  measure ;  further  showing,  that  if 
we  did  not  walk  in  the  Truth  according  to  our  measure  givgn 
to  us,  we  were  but  a  community  of  men  and  women,  and  not  a 
Church  of  Christ,  and  then  marriage  would  be  as  well  by  the 
law  of  the  province  as  among  us.    And  your  coming  to  us  to 


224 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


profess  your  intentions  of  marriage,  and  desiring  our  consent, 
is,  as  we  are  a  Church  of  Christ,  which  we  cannot  be  without 
we  walk  in  Truth,  therefore,  whether  thou  dost  believe  it  is  the 
Truth  we  profess  and  walk  in  ?  His  answer  was.  Yes,  he  did 
believe  it  is.  Also  the  young  woman  was  asked  the  same ;  she 
answered  the  same :  Yes,  I  do  believe  it  is.  Whether  you  do 
believe  that  this  way  of  marriage  among  Friends  is  according 
to  the  order  of  Truth  ?  Whether  you  do  believe  it  is  your 
duty  thus  to  proceed  ?  They  both  answered.  Yes.  Friends 
said,  as  Paul  to  the  Church  of  the  Romans  (14 : 1) :  '  Him  that 
is  weak  in  the  faith  receive  you,  but  not  to  doubtful  disputa- 
tion.' "—(Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1692.  — "  William  Dixon  informs  this  meeting  that  his  daugh- 
ter-in-law is  stolen  away,  and  married  by  a  priest  in  the  night, 
contrary  to  his  and  his  wife's  mind ;  and  that  he  has  opposed 
the  same,  and  refused  to  pay  her  portion,  for  which  he  is  cited 
to  appear  before  the  Commissary-General.  Now  he  desires  to 
know  whether  the  meeting  would  stand  by  him,  if  he  should 
sue  the  priest  that  so  married  her  ?  The  meeting  said  it  would 
stand  by  him,  and  assents  to  it ;  he  taking  their  advice  from 
time  to  time." — (Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Formerly,  as  at  present.  Monthly  Meetings  were  careful  that 
the  rights  of  the  children  of  widows  should  be  properly  secured 
in  case  of  their  marrying. 

1693.  — "  Randall  Maillin  and  Mary  Connoway  laid  their 
intentions  of  marriage  before  this  meeting.  It  is  appointed 
that  Mary  Sharpley  and  Cassandra  Druitt  do  make  inquiry 
concerning  the  clearness  of  the  woman,  and  that  Randall  bring 
a  certificate  touching  his  own  clearness  to  the  next  Monthly 
Meeting. 

"  Randall  Maillin,  before  this  meeting,  doth  promise  to  pay, 
or  cause  to  be  paid,  the  full  sum  of  six  pounds,  at  or  before  the 
first  day  of  the  next  first  month,  for  the  use  of  the  children  of 
Mary  Connoway,  the  said  Randall's  intended  wife. 

"  Thomas  HoUingsworth,  before  this  meeting,  doth  promise 


MARRIAGES, 


225 


to  pay,  or  cause  to  bo  paid  unto  Mavy  Connoway,  the  full  sum 
of  four  pounds,  at  or  bcfoi-e  the  10th  of  the  next  first  month, 
for  the  use  of  her  children. 

"  I,  Mary  Connoway,  doth  set  out  one  mare  and  her  increase 
for  the  use  and  benefit  of  my  children,  leaving  the  mare  in  my 
brother  Thomas  Hollingsworth's  custody,  desiring  him  to  look 
after  her  and  her  increase  from  this  time  forward,  for  the  use 
above  mentioned." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1694. — "Take  heed  of  giving  your  sons  and  daughters,  who 
are  believers  and  profess  and  confess  the  truth,  in  marriage 
with  unbelievers  ;  for  that  was  forbidden  in  all  ages,  and  was 
one  main  cause  that  brought  the  wrath  of  God  upon  old  Israel. 
See  how  good  Nehemiah  was  concerned  when  he  saw  the  Jews 
had  married  wives  of  Ashdod,  of  Ammon,  and  of  Moab,  and 
that  their  children  spake  half  in  the  speech  of  Ashdod,  and 
could  not  speak  in  the  Jews'  language,  but  according  to  the 
language  of  each  people. 

"  It  is  unbecoming  those  who  profess  the  Truth  to  go  from 
one  woman  to  another,  and  keep  company  and  sit  together, 
especially  in  the  night  season,  spending  their  precious  time  in 
idle  discourse,  and  drawing  the  affections  one  of  another,  many 
times  when  there  is  no  reality  in  it.  As  one  said  in  his  day: 
'  These  things  make  more  like  Sodom  than  saints,  and  is  not  of 
God's  moving.'  Therefore  we  exhort  all  to  be  careful  in  these 
weighty  matters,  and  that  both  males  and  females  be  clear  of 
one  before  they  become  concerned  with  another,  and  first  take 
the  advice  of  parents  or  guardians  ;  for  disobedience  to  parents 
■was  death  by  God's  law,  and  must  needs  bring  death  upon  the 
innocent  life  now,  in  those  that  are  found  in  such  practices." — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 

1701. — "This  meeting  beinfr  informed  that  E  B  is 

going  to  take  M          H          to  her  husband,  being  not  in 

unity  with  Friends,  orders  Joseph  Kirkbride  and  Richard 

Hough  to  go  to  E  B          and  speak  to  her  about  it." — 

(Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1703. — "  I          C          brought  a  paper  to  this  meeting, 

condemning  the  evil  action  of  being  married  by  a  priest,  to  a 

15 


22G 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


man  out  of  the  profession  of  Truth  ;  she  is  advised  to  go  to  the 
priest  and  there  condemn  it  before  him  publicly." 

Some  Friends  agreed  to  accompany  her,  who  reported  that 
"  it  was  done  effectually." — (Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1704.  — "  George  Hogg  and  Hannah  Cole,  laying  their  in- 
tentions of  marriage  before  this  meeting  (it  being  the  third 
time),  the  Friends  appointed  to  make  inquiry  on  the  man's 
behalf,  find  nothing  but  what  he  is  clear  in  relation  to  marriage. 

"And  further,  Friends  that  were  appointed  brought  two 
letters,  one  from  the  young  woman's  father,  signifying  that  he 
knoweth  nothing  but  that  she  is  clear,  and  likewise  a  letter 
from  Randall  Janney,  which  signifieth  so  far,  that  he  had 
knowledge  of  her  for  six  years  before  she  left  England. 

"  The  which,  with  other  circumstances,  manifestly  appeared 
to  the  meeting  that  she  is  clear  in  relation  to  marriage. 

"  But,  forasmuch  as  she  hath  not,  according  to  the  good 
order  among  Friends  in  that  case  made  and  provided,  brought 
with  her  a  certificate  of  her  clearness  in  relation  to  marriage 
from  England  along  with  her,  this  meeting  cannot  have  further 
unity  with  their  proceedings  in  marriage,  for  want  thereof,  no 
otherwise  than  by  way  of  permission." — (Kennet  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1705.  — "  Whereas,  this  meeting  having  had  something  laid 

before  it,  depending  between  J  H  and  R  H  , 

concerning  some  engagement  of  marriage  between  them,  with- 
out the  consent  of  parents,  the  young  man  and  the  young 
woman  being  here  present,  hath  given  discharges  one  to  the 
other,  and  have  fully  cleared  each  other  before  this  meeting." 
— (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1705. — "  Whereas,  several  marriages  that  hath  been  per- 
mitted among  us  have  proved  hurtful,  it  is  the  sense  of  this 
meeting,  that  all  persons  purposing  to  propose  their  intentions 
of  marriage,  ought  to  acquaint  the  overseers  of  each  Monthly 
Meeting,  at  least  a  week  before  the  said  meeting ;  and  that 


% 


MARRIAGES. 


227 


the  overseers  acquaint  the  meeting  before  the  parties  propose 
their  intentions." — (Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

"This  is  very  well  approved  of,  and  ordered  to  be  put  in 
practice." — (Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1706. — "Advised,  that  none  professing  Truth  may  keep 
company  with  women  in  an  unseasonable  and  unseemly  manner, 
which  has  not  a  tendency  toward  virtue,  but  rather  a  snare  of 
the  enemy,  taking  occasion  thereby  to  beget  hurtful  lusts  in 
the  heart,  which  greatly  war  against  the  soul  and  have  brought 
many  to  ruin  before  they  have  been  aware." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1714. — "  Agreed  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  Quarterly 
Meetings,  that  according  to  the  ancient  decent  practice  among 
Friends,  they  take  care  that  such  men  and  women  Friends  as 
do  make  suit,  or  concern  themselves  in  proposals  of  marriage 
one  to  the  other,  do  not  dwell  together  in  the  same  house  from 
the  time  they  begin  to  be  so  concerned,  until  their  marriage  is 
consummated." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1716. — "Advised,  that  Friends  everywhere  avoid  all  extra- 
ordinary provision  at  their  marriages  ;  and  also,  as  much  as 
may  be,  avoid  inviting  such  as  are  not  Friends,  or  that  will  not 
be  under  our  Discipline." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1716. — "  To  the  Monthly  Meeting,  &c.  Inasmuch  as  it  hath 
been  requested  of  me  why  I  was  not  married  according  to  the 
order  used  among  us,  my  reasons  are  great.  I  would  I  had 
them  not  to  excuse  myself  in  this  behalf,  they  are  so  plain  and 
so  manifest,  having  been  unlawfully  concerned  with  her  that  is 
now  my  wife  before  marriage.  For  the  which  deed  I  am  right 
sorry,  as  God  knows. 

"  This  I  give  forth  for  the  clearing  of  Friends  and  the 
Truth.    As  witness  my  hand, 

"  T         S  ." 

(Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 
1719. — "  Advised,  that  such  be  dealt  with  as  keep  company 
with  those  not  of  our  profession  in  order  for  marriage,  and 
such  as  marry  out  of  the  unity  of  Friends,  or  by  any  other 
method  than  the  orderly  and  decent  way  used  among  Friends ; 


228 


KETR05PECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


and  such  as  go  themselves,  or  suffer  their  children  to  go  to 
such  marriages. 

"  It  is  further  advised,  that  the  said  consummation  be  per- 
formed decently,  gravely,  and  weightily  ;  and  that  the  parties 
themselves,  their  parents,  or  any  others  concerned,  do  take 
care  at  the  houses  or  places  where  they  go  to,  or  are,  after  the 
meeting  is  over,  that  no  reproach  arise,  or  any  occasion  be 
given,  by  any  intemperate  or  immoderate  feasting  or  drinking, 
or  by  any  unseemly  Avanton  discourses  or  actions,  but  that  all 
behave  with  such  modesty  and  sobriety  as  becomes  a  people 
fearing  God.  And  in  order  thereto,  and  for  the  assistance  of 
those  immediately  concerned,  let  there  always  be  two  men  and 
two  women  Friends,  appointed  by  the  Monthly  Meeting  where 
the  marriage  is  allowed,  to  attend  the  same,  and  take  care,  as 
much  as  in  them  lies,  that  all  be  done,  and  that  all  behave  as 
above  advised.  And  if  by  them,  or  any  other  Friends,  any- 
thing to  the  contrary  is  observed,  that  they  speedily,  or  as  soon 
as  with  convenience  and  decency  they  can,  take  such  aside  as 
make  such  breach  upon  good  order,  moderation,  or  modesty, 
and,  in  brotherly  love  and  tenderness,  admonish  and  caution 
them  to  a  better  behavior,  and  to  be  more  watchful  over  their 
words  and  actions." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1720. — "  Whereas  J  B  ,  being  educated  in  the  way 

of  Truth  as  professed  by  us,  the  people  called  Quakers,  but 
without  regard  to  his  profession  of  religion  and  education,  and 
also  contrary  to  the  advice  of  the  apostle  (which  is,  '  Be  not 
unequally  yoked,'  &c.),  let  out  his  affections  in  relation  to  mar- 
riage to  a  woman  of  another  persuasion ;  and  although  his 
friends  and  relations  did  labor  much  with  him,  both  before  and 
after  marriage,  laying  before  him  the  evil  effects  of  such  mar- 
riages, which  often  tend  to  breed  contention  and  confusion  in 
families ;  yet,  notwithstanding  all  their  advice,  their  labor  of 
love  he  did  reject.  And  so  we  can  do  no  less  than  testify 
against  him  and  such  practices,  as  being  out  of  unity  with  us, 
earnestly  desiring  that  the  Lord  may  be  pleased  to  bring  him 
to  a  sense  of  his  outgoing,  and  that  he  may  find  true  re- 
pentance. 


MARRIAGES. 


229 


"  Signed  in  behalf  and  by  appointment  of  our  Monthly 
Meeting  of  New  Garden,  the  10th  of  the  tenth  month,  1720. 
"  William  Baels,  "  Caleb  Pusey, 

"James  Starr,  "John  Smith, 

"Samuel  Littler,  "Thomas  Lightfoot, 

"  John  Willey,  "  Simon  Hadley, 

"Francis  Hobson,  "Thomas  Jackson, 

"John  Churchman." 

(New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 
1723. — "Whereas  I  gave  consent  to  my  daughter  to  marry, 
contrary  to  the  order  of  Friends,  to  one  that  was  not  in  unity 
with  them,  which  was  a  grief  to  them,  and  a  letting  the  testi- 
mony of  Truth  fall,  which  I  ought  to  have  kept  up,  for  which 
I  am  truly  sorry,  and  I  hope  others  will  take  warning  not  to 
do  the  like.  So  I  give  this  as  a  testimony  against  myself. 
Witness  my  hand, 

"E         P  ." 

(New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 
1726. — "  J  S  appears  here,  and  desires  the  objec- 
tions to  be  heard  which  obstructed  his  proceeding  (in  marriage 

with  S  H  )  last  meeting,  which  was  here  set  forth  ; 

and  after  some  debate,  found  that  he  is  a  man  of  contrary 
principles,  and  his  conversation  very  unfit  and  unbecoming  a 
Christian.  Therefore  we  deny  the  said  J  S  the  pri- 
vilege of  proceeding  any  further  among  us  in  that  affair." — 
(Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

A  Friend  requested  a  certificate  to  another  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, in  order  for  marriage ;  but  an  objection  being  made,  he 
made  the  following  acknowledgment : — 

1740. — "Whereas  I  was  too  forward  and  hasty  in  making 
suit  to  a  young  woman  after  the  death  of  my  wife,  having  made 
some  proceedings  in  that  way  in  less  than  four  months,  which 
I  am  now  sensible  was  wrong.    As  witness  my  hand, 

"R  H  ." 

(New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 


230 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


1740. — "  Women's  Meeting  complain  against  M  (W  

that  was,  but  now)  II  ,  for  going  to  be  married  by  a  priest, 

and  marrying  in  a  very  uncommon  way, — by  putting  off  her 
clothes,  and  putting  on  a  shift, — in  order  to  screen  her  hus- 
band from  her  former  husband's  debts," — (Concord  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

Some  may  think  that  the  record  of  this  ridiculous  proceed- 
ing need  not  have  been  preserved  here ;  but  as  a  historical 
fact  it  is  instructive.  Being  a  novel  case,  the  advice  of  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  was  obtained ;  which  was,  that  an  acknow- 
ledgment might  be  received  from  her,  "if  she  was  sincere." 
After  much  labor,  she  was  disowned. 

While  we  pity  the  mental  and  moral  darkness  which  would 
allow  a  woman  thus  to  unwoman  herself,  and  which  a  proper 
education  would  have  effectually  prevented,  we  cannot  but 
despise  the  duplicity  of  those  priests,  whose  education  must 
have  taught  them  better  than  to  countenance  such  a  supersti- 
tious and  unseemly  practice.  Yet  this  seems  not  a  solitary 
case.  Watson  says,  that  "  in  1734,  a  widow  of  Philadelphia 
was  married  in  her  shift,  without  any  other  apparel  upon  her, 
from  a  superstition,  prevalent  then,  that  such  a  procedure 
would  secure  her  husband,  in  the  law,  from  being  sued  for  any 
debts  of  his  predecessor,  Kalm,  in  1748,  confirms  this  fact  , 
as  a  common  occurrence,  when  her  husband  dies  in  debt.  She 
thus  affects  to  leave  all  to  his  creditors.  He  tells  of  a  woman 
going  from  her  former  home  to  the  house  of  her  intended  hus- 
band in  her  shift  only ;  and  he  meets  her  by  the  way,  and 
clothes  her  before  witnesses,  saying,  'he  has  lent  them.'" — 
(Watson's  Annals,  p.  650.) 

1757. — "  The  Friends  appointed  to  inquire  the  reasons  why 

I  H  and  R          R          did  not  appear  at  our  last 

meeting,  report  that  they  have  altered  their  minds,  and  have 
discharged  each  other  from  under  hand."  —  (Wilmington 
Monthly  Meeting.) 


MARRIAGE? 


231 


This  couple  had  proposed  marringe  at  a  previous  meeting, 
and  it  became  the  duty  of  Friends  to  inquire  into  the  matter. 

1769. — C          D          and  A          D          (widow),  having 

proposed  marriage,  she  declined  proceeding,  and  a  committee 
was  appointed  "to  inspect  into  the  cause  of  her  disreputable 
conduct;"  who  reported  "that  she  renders  no  sufficient  rea- 
sons; ....  wherefore,  until  she  makes  suitable  satisfaction, 
this  meeting  cannot  have  full  unity  with  her." — (Concord 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1780. — "A  weighty  concern  attended  this  meeting,  respect- 
ing the  making  large  and  unnecessary  entertainments  at 
marriages  accomplished  among  us ;  as  also  the  continuation 
thereof  more  than  one  day ;  which,  after  a  time  of  mature 
deliberation,  it  appeared  the  united  sense  and  judgment  of 
this  meeting,  that  such  things  arc  of  a  disorderly  tendency, 
and  ought  to  be  wholly  discouraged  among  us." — (Evesham 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1780. — "  I   A   produced  a  paper  of  acknowledg- 
ment, condemning  her  misconduct  in  attending  at  a  marriage 
feast  of  a  member  of  our  Society,  who  had  accomplished  his 
marriage  contrary  to  the  rules  of  our  discipline."  —  (New 
Garden  Monthly  Meeting,  Women  Friends.) 

This  was  as  it  should  be.  Every  one  knows  that  the  ground 
of  objection  to  members  attending  the  disorderly  marriages  of 
members,  is  the  encouragement  which  is  thus  afforded  to  the 
disorder.  The  flimsy  expedient  of  stepping  aside,  so  as  not 
actually  to  witness  the  marriage  ceremony,  but  otherwise  to  give 
it  all  the  encouragement  they  can,  will  neither  satisfy  a  pure  con- 
science, or  render  its  possessor  less  liable  to  the  censure  of  the 
discipline.  The  first  violation  is  in  nowise  mitigated,  Avhile 
hypocrisy  is  added  to  the  offence. 

1789. — "  I  T  requested  a  certificate  to  New  Gar- 
den Monthly  Meeting,  in  order  for  marriage  with  S  

W  .    Amos  Harvey  and  Jacob  Way  were  appointed,  &c. ; 


232 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


.  .  .  report  there  appears  an  obstruction:  therefore,  James 
Jackson,  William  Lamborn,  ant]  Enoch  Wickersham,  are  ap- 
pointed, &c. ;  .  .  .  .  report  the  obstruction  is  not  removed ; 
■which  appears  to  be  a  claim  of  a  young  woman,  not  in  member- 
ship, of  a  prior  engagement  of  marriage  by  him  to  her,  which 
she  is  not  free  to  release ;  and  this  meeting,  considering  the 
case  as  a  manifest  breach  of  our  Discipline,  continues  the  same 
Friends  to  take  a  solid  opportunity  with  him,  and  endeavor 
to  convince  him  of  the  evil  and  inconsistency  of  his  conduct ;  and 
also  to  take  an  early  opportunity  with  the  young  woman  whom 
he  hath  requested  a  certificate  in  order  for  marriage  with,  and 
inform  her  of  the  true  state  and  situation  of  the  case." — (Ken- 
net  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1792. — "  Concord  Preparative  Meeting  complains  of  J  

P  S  ,  for  breach  of  his  marriage  covenants,  in  refusing 

to  live  with  his  wife,  as  a  faithful  husband  ought  to  do." — 
(Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1838.— "To  Kennet  Monthly  Meeting: 
"  The  committee  appointed  on  the  subject  relating  to  re- 
quests for  certificates,  in  order  for  marriage,  having  generally 
met  in  conference,  and  deliberately  considered  the  subject, 
agree  to  report,  that  they  are  much  united  in  believing  that 
the  ancient  practice  of  giving  the  name  of  the  young  woman  to 
the  Monthly  Meeting,  and  having  it  inserted  in  such  certificate 
when  granted,  is  an  excellent  order,  and  one  that  becomes  the 
open,  candid  mode  of  procedure,  which  ought  to  characterize 
the  movements  of  this  Society.  They  are  also  much  united  in 
judgment  that  such  practice  is  in  accordance  with  the  spirit  and 
intention  of  our  Discipline.  They  therefore  propose,  in  all 
cases  where  certificates  are  requested  in  order  for  marriage, 
that  the  name  of  the  young  woman  be  given  to  the  Monthly 
Meeting,  and  inserted  in  the  certificate  when  issued. 

"  Signed  on  behalf  of  the  committee. 

"  Moses  Mendenhall, 
"  Thomas  Jenkinson, 
"James  Meredith." 
(Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 


BURIALS. 


233 


I  have  extended  these  notes  beyond  the  usual  limit ;  but, 
perhaps,  have  not  exceeded  the  transcendent  importance  of  the 
subject,  as  it  relates  either  to  social  and  religious  prosperity, 
or  to  individual  happiness.  As  far  as  practicable,  Ave  have 
embraced  the  divers  forms  under  which  Meetings  for  Discipline 
may  have  the  subject  of  marriage  presented  to  them.  To  the 
attentive  reader  they  will  atTord  "food  for  reflection,"  though 
sometimes  served  up  in  the  coarser  utensils  of  the  kitchen. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

BURIALS. 

1676. — If  I  have  correctly  read  the  extracts  taken  for  me 
from  Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting  record,  that  meeting  re- 
commended "Friends  to  buy  convenient  burial-plates,"  to  be 
placed  upon  the  coffins  of  their  dead.  Possibly  it  was  then 
the  general  custom.  See  a  minute  below,  of  Concord  Monthly 
Meeting,  for  1729. 

1711. — "  Philadelphia  Quarterly  Meeting  requested  to  know 
how  far  Friends  may  be  concerned  in  the  burials  of  those  that 
are  not  in  communion  with  us  ?  It  was  thought  necessary  to  ex- 
hort Friends  to  keep  themselves  and  their  children  from  going 
with  the  dead  into  any  of  their  worship-houses ;  and  avoid,  as 
much  as  may  be,  to  hear  any  of  their  sermons ;  that  Friends 
may  be  careful  to  discharge  their  conscience  in  the  sight  of 
God,  and  wait  for  wisdom  and  counsel  from  him  ;  that  so  Truth, 
in  all  things,  may  be  honored  by  them,  and  no  offence  justly 
given  to  those  that  are  not  of  us." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

Those  who  are  familiar  with  the  grounds  of  Friends'  testi- 
mony against  a  man-made  and  hireling  ministry,  will  readily 
perceive  the  consistency,  even  if  they  do  not  approve  of  the 


234 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


foregoing  advice ;  and  no  others  can  be  considered  qualified  to 
judge  thereof. 

1719. — "  Whereas,  at  some  burials,  where  people  may  come 
far,  there  may  be  occasion  for  refreshment,  yet  let  that  be  done 
in  such  moderation,  and  the  behavior  of  all  Friends  be  with 
such  gravity  and  sobriety  as  becomes  the  occasion  ;  and,  if  any 
appear  otherwise,  let  them  be  reproved  and  dealt  with,  as  is 
advised  in  cases  of  misbehavior  or  indecencies  at  marriacres. 
And  it  may  be  further  noted,  that  any  excess  in  this  case,  and 
the  making  so  solemn  a  time  as  this  ought  to  be,  and  really  is, 
in  its  own  nature,  to  appear  as  a  festival,  must  be  burdensome 
and  grievous  to  the  sober  Christian  mind,  which  will,  of  course, 
be  under  a  far  different  exercise  at  such  times. 

"  Friends  are  desired,  therefore,  to  have  great  care  herein, 
and  use  all  endeavors  everywhere  more  and  more  to  break 
from  and  avoid  that  oifensive  and  unsuitable  custom  of  large 
provisions  of  strong  drink,  cakes,  &c,  and  the  formal  and 
repeated  servings  and  offers  thereof.  This  indecent  and  in- 
discreet custom  and  practice  has  run  to  such  excess,  that 
invitations  being  made  to  greater  numbers  than  their  own  or 
neighbor's  houses  can  contain,  the  very  streets  and  open 
places  are  made  use  of  for  the  handing  about  burnt  wine  and 
other  strong  liquors.  And,  besides  the  indecencies  above 
mentioned,  the  custom  of  waiting  for  the  last  that  will  please 
to  come  (though  ever  so  unseasonable),  and  the  formality  of 
repeated  servings  to  each,  breaks  in  upon  another  decent  order 
among  Friends, — of  keeping  to  and  observing  the  time  ap- 
pointed."— (Yearly  Meeting.) 

We  may  hope  the  time  has  passed  never  to  return,  when 
such  excesses  will  be  again  perpetrated ;  yet  there  is  ordi- 
narily, even  in  our  day,  much  that  is  to  be  regretted,  and 
much  that  is  inconsistent  with  the  solemnity  of  the  occasion, 
in  regard  to  the  provisions  for  eating. 

1727. — "Nottingham  Preparative  Meeting  proposes  John 


BURIALS. 


235 


White  and  James  King  to  oversee  at  burials  of  Friends." — 
(New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.)  ^ 

I  am  not  informed  how  general  such  appointments  may  have 
been,  prior  to  the  recommendation  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  in 
1729 ;  but  many  of  our  disciplinary  rules  appear  to  have 
been  adopted  by  some  of  our  Monthly  Meetings  before  any 
action  was  taken  upon  them  by  the  Yearly  Meeting. 

1729. — "  This  meeting  recommends  to  the  care  of  Friends 
that  they  observe  decency  and  moderation  in  their  interments, 
that  the  becoming  solemnity  may  not  appear  as  a  noisy 
festival.  And,  when  wine  or  other  strong  liquors  are  served 
(which  many  sober-minded  amongst  us  think  needless),  that  it 
be  but  once ;  and  that  some  solid  Friends  be  appointed  by 
the  respective  Monthly  Meetings,  to  attend  at  funerals;  to 
move  for  bearing  out  the  corpse  seasonably, — about  an  hour 
after  the  appointment  made  to  meet  at  the  house." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

3  729. — "Whereas,  it  hath  been  upon  the  minds  of  some 
Friends  to  suppress  all  superfluous  practices  of  putting  of 
names  and  dates  upon  cofiins  ;  and  it  is  the  mind  of  this  meeting 
that,  for  the  future.  Friends  desist  from  all  such  idolatrous 
practices." — (Concord  Monthly  ^Meeting.) 

1735. — "  Notwithstanding  the  provision  made  by  our  Book 
of  Discipline,  and  the  advice  of  Friends  on  that  occasion, 
greater  provisions  for  eating  and  drinking  are  made  at  mar- 
riages and  burials  than  is  consistent  with  good  order.  It  is 
therefore  recommended  to  the  several  Quarterly  and  Monthly 
Meetings  to  be  careful  in  those  particulars,  and  to  deal  with 
such  who  may  transgress  therein." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1750. — "Advised,  that  Friends  be  concerned  frequently  to 
call  upon  the  overseers,  or  other  Friends  appointed  within  the 
respective  meetings,  to  prevent  the  unnecessary  use  of  strong 
drink  at  burials ;  and  to  see  that  the  time  fixed  be  observed  ; 
and  to  inquire  whether  they  discharge  their  duty  therein." — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 


23G 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


1790. — "  A  concern  appeared  in  our  last  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing, that  burials  at  our  several  graveyards  should  be  punctual 
to  the  hour  appointed ;  and  especially  those  on  our  meeting 
days,  so  as  not  to  interfere  with  the  time  appointed  for  our 
religious  meetings ;  and  likewise,  that  a  solemn  pause  should 
be  made  at  the  interment  of  the  dead." — (Concord  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1792. — "  To  prevent  the  introduction  of  improper  interments 
among  us,  it  is  recommended  that  two  or  more  Friends  be 
appointed  to  the  care  of  our  several  burial-grounds,  by  the 
Pi'eparative  or  Monthly  Meetings,  as  the  case  may  require ;  and 
that  no  person  who  is  not  in  membership  be  buried  therein, 
without  a  permit  in  writing,  to  be  signed  by  one  or  two  of 
those  Friends ;  who  should  also  take  care  that  our  burial- 
grounds  be  properly  inclosed  and  kept  in  decent  order." — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  custom  which  long  prevailed,  of  converting  the  solemn 
burial-service  at  the  house  of  mourning  into  a  noisy  bacchanalian 
festival,  presents  an  anomaly  difficult  to  trace  to  its  origin  ;  it 
has  probably  existed  in  all  nations,  varying  in  form,  of  which 
the  Irish  wake  and  the  Indian  dance  are  examples. 

When  a  king  dies  and  the  heir-apparent  assumes  the  regal 
vesture,  w^e  can  perceive  his  motive  for  proclaiming  a  general 
•  amnesty,  or  for  granting  special  pardon, — the  hope  to  gain  popu- 

lar favor  and  prop  a  tottering  throne.  May  not  the  custom  in 
question  have  sprung  from  a  kindred  motive,  to  atone  for  past 
ofiFences,  to  appease  vindictive  feelings,  or  to  secure  the  prayers 
of  the  populace  for  the  soul  of  the  departed  ? 

There  is  still  much  of  this  idolatrous  and  demoralizing  custom 
remaining ;  the  sumptuous  preparations  too  often  made,  and 
the  light  and  airy  conduct  of  many  who  attend,  are  altogether 
inconsistent  with  the  solemnity  of  such  an  occasion. 

The  fi'iends  of  the  deceased  may  sometimes  feel  a  pride  in 
«  the  numbers  who  have  gathered  to  the  sumptuous  feast,  or 

followed  them  to  the  grave  ;  but  when  we  look  over  the  crowd 
thus  assembled,  whether  at  the  house  of  mourning,  in  the  funeral 
procession,  or  when  gathered  around  the  grave,  and  watch  their 


BURIALS. 


237 


behavior  and  listen  to  their  frivolous  and  irrelevant  discourse, 
we  will  sometimes  have  to  form  a  low  estimate,  either  of  their 
esteem  for  the  dead,  or  their  respect  for  the  living.  Such  con- 
duct is  highly  unbecoming  the  occasion,  and  is  as  a  dagger  in 
the  soul  of  the  true  mourner. 

We  would  strongly  recommend  an  increase  of  the  practice 
prevalent  among  Friends  in  some  places,  of  removing  the 
deceased  into  the  meeting-house  at  the  hour  appointed,  and 
making  that  the  place  of  gathering.  An  opportunity  would  be 
thus  afforded  for  all  to  sit  down  in  a  quiet,  solemn  manner, 
until  the  hour  of  interment  arrives,  when  the  body  could  be 
carried  out  and  buried. 

By  this  means  the  family  would  be  exempted  from  much  of 
the  bustle  and  confusion  of  the  usual  method,  their  friends 
would  find  more  ample  and  comfortable  accommodations,  and 
more  than  all,  the  company  could  enjoy  the  advantages  of  a 
religious  opportunity,  at  a  time  when  the  mind  ought  to  be 
peculiarly  susceptible  of  solemn  religious  impressions.  May  we 
not  hope  that  Friends  will  yet  more  consider  this  matter  ? 

1847.—"  To  the  Monthly  Bleeting  :— 

"We,  the  committee  appointed  at  our  last  to  take  into  con- 
sideration the  subject  of  parades  at  funerals  in  our  graveyards, 
and  the  officiating  of  hireling  ministers,  and  other  violations  of 
our  Discipline,  having  conferred  together,  agreed  to  propose  to 
the  Monthly  Meeting,  that  all  those  having  the  oversight  of  the 
several  graveyards  belonging  to  the  Monthly  Meeting,  together 
with  the  grave-diggers,  be  instructed  to  inform  all  persons  ap- 
plying for  the  interment  of  their  dead,  that  all  interments  must 
be  done  in  accordance  with  Friends'  order,  without  parades  or 
the  introduction  of  a  hireling  minister  to  officiate  in  the  yard ; 
and  further,  we  are  of  the  mind  that  no  interment  ought  to 
take  place  during  the  sitting  of  any  of  our  meetings.  All  of 
which  are  respectfully  submitted.  Signed,  on  behalf  of  said 
committee,  the  Slst  of  tenth  month,  1847,  by 

"  Hiram  John, 
"  Perry  John." 
(Roaring  Creek  Monthly  Meeting.) 


238 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


Before  dismissing  this  subject,  I  am  willing  to  offer,  for  the 
consideration  of  Friends,  a  few  extracts  from  the  recommenda- 
tions adopted  by  the  three  Monthly  Meetings  in  Philadelphia, 
in  the  year  1850,  relative  to  making  interments  at  Fair  Hill 
Burial-ground  : — 

"  That  all  extravagant  expenses  in  interments,  and  that  every- 
thing tending  to  lessen  the  solemnity  on  such  occasions,  be 
avoided." 

"  That  funerals  be  conducted  without  ostentation  in  the 
adornment  of  coiBns,  and  that  no  parade  of  Lodges  or  Societies 
be  permitted,  or  any  hireling  ministers,  as  such,  be  allowed  to 
officiate  at  the  house  or  ground." 

"  That,  either  at  the  house  or  in  the  procession.  Friends 
should  be  watchful  not  to  enter  into  conversation,  but  to  de- 
mean themselves  soberly,  that  their  gravity  may  bespeak  their 
sense  of  the  solemnity  of  the  occasion." 

"  With  respect  to  the  practice  of  looking  into  the  grave,  we 
think  it  best  to  revive  the  report  adopted  by  the  three  Monthly 
Meetings  of  Philadelphia  in  1791  :  'It  is  recommended  that 
Friends  discontinue  the  practice  of  looking  into  the  grave  after 
the  body  has  been  placed  in  the  earth.'  This  recommendation 
was  again  revived  by  a  joint  committee  of  the  five  Monthly 
Meetings,  in  1827." 

The  query  has  often  arisen,  "  Why  seek  ye  the  living  among 
the  dead?" 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

REMOVALS. 

1683. — "  William  Southbee  laid  his  intentions  before  this 
meeting,  of  removing  to  Delaware  River,  for  the  meeting's  ap- 
probation. The  meeting  having  considered  the  same,  it  is  the 
unanimous  sense  of  this  meeting,  that  William  Southbee  is  at 
present  in  his  place,  and  hath  a  service  for  God  here ;  for 


REMOVALS. 


239 


Avhich  consideration,  at  present  Friends  cannot  consent  to  his 
removal." — (Thirdhaven  Yearly  Meeting.) 

1686. — "Nathaniel  Cleve  proposes  to  this  meeting  his  mind 
to  remove  to  Pennsylvania,  desiring  this  meeting's  advice. 
The  meeting  refers  him  to  our  next  Yearly  Meeting  for  ad- 
vice."— (Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1719. — "  We  advise,  that  when  any  Friends  remove  their 
habitation,  .  .  .  that  they  first  acquaint  the  Monthly  Meeting 
■whereunto  they  belong,  thereof,  in  order  for  their  brotherly 
advice  and  counsel  in  that  respect." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

17G9. — "As  some  of  the  members  of  our  religious  Society, 
by  suffering  wrong  motives  to  govern  in  their  conclusions  to 
remove  from  one  place  to  another,  have  suffered  loss,  and 
divers  of  them  have  deprived  their  families  of  the  benefit  of 
attending  our  religious  meetings.  Monthly  Meetings  are  desired 
to  enjoin  the  due  observance  and  practice  of  the  ancient  whole- 
some rule,"  &c.  (See  above,  1719.)  ..."  And  that  elders, 
overseers,  and  other  concerned  Friends,  when  they  hear  of  any 
Friends  inclining  to  remove,  be  enjoined,  in  brotherly  love,  to 
advise  them  to  consult  their  Monthly  Meeting,  agreeably  to 
this  necessary  rule." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1775. — "Benjamin  Townsend  informs  this  meeting  of  the 
probability  of  his  removing  some  distance  from  home,  and 
desires  Friends'  advice  therein." — (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1778.  — "  Daniel  Brett  and  Benjamin  Hough  informed  this 
meeting  that  they  have  thoughts  of  removing  out  of  the  verge 
thereof,  and  desire  the  advice  of  Friends'  therein." — (Wilming- 
ton Monthly  Meeting.) 

1779.  — "  Joseph  Thompson  and  Hannah  his  wife,  having 
thoughts  of  removing  to  North  Carolina,  requests  Friends' 
advice  therein.  This  meeting  appoints  Hannah  Jackson, 
Elizabeth  Millhouse,  Dinah  Lamborn,  and  Margaret  Cook  to 
join  men  Friends  in  a  solid  opportunity  with  them,  in  order  to 
dip  into  the  concern,  and  advise  them  as  they  may  think  best." 
— (New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting  of  Women.) 

1780.  — "  Caleb  Pennock  and  Ann  his  wife,  likewise  Samuel 
Pennock  and  Mary  his  wife,  having  thought  of  removing  their 


240 


RETROSPECT  OP  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


rights  from  us  to  Kennet  Monthly  Meeting,  requested  our 
certificates  in  order  to  be  joined  thereto.  Sarah  Pusey,  Han- 
nah Swayne,  Ann  Lamborn,  Alice  Pyle,  Margaret  Cook,  and 
Mary  Bulger,  are  appointed  to  join  men  Friends  in  conferring 
■with  them,  and  solidly  considering  of  their  motives,  and  advise 
accordingly."  "  The  Friends  to  confer  -with  Caleb  and  Samuel 
Pennock  and  their  wives,  report,  that  they,  with  men  Friends, 
had  a  solid  opportunity  with  them,  and  gave  them  such  counsel 
and  advice  on  the  occasion  as  they  were  enabled,  and  left  it  to 
their  consideration  to  do  as  they  should  find  freedom  in  future." 
— (New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting,  Women  Friends.) 

1792. — "  Joshua  Pusey  requests  Friends  to  advise  and  con- 
fer with  him,  in  regard  to  removing  himself  from  his  present 
habitation." — (New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  advantages  which  would  result  to  those  who  contemplate 
changing  their  place  of  residence,  by  attending  to  this  safe  and 
brotherly  mode  of  proceeding,  is  too  obvious  to  need  further 
illustration. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

WIDOWS  AND  ORPHANS. 

It  is  gratifying  to  find,  under  our  colonial  governments, 
when  the  laws  were  defective  and  the  courts  imperfectly  orga- 
nized, that  Friends  should  have  come  forward  to  take  care  of 
widows  and  orphans,  and  to  look  after  their  estates,  that  they 
might  not  be  wasted  and  lost.    A  few  extracts  may  sufiice. 

1678. — "  The  meeting  seriously  weighing  and  considering 
the  great  care  and  respect  that  ought  to  be  had,  and  inspection 
in  relation  to,  the  estates  of  orphans,  and  the  orphans  also  com- 
mitted unto  Friends,  the  meeting  hath  thought  fit  that  one  of 
every  meeting  be  made  choice  of;  and  that  they  do  make  in- 


WIDOWS  AND  ORPHANS. 


241 


quiry  into  the  estate,  usage,  and  condition  of  the  orphans  and 
their  estates,  and  to  give  an  account  to  every  respective  Half- 
Year  Man's  Meeting ;  that  so  the  said  orphans,  so  committed 
to  the  care  of  Friends,  may  be  carefully  instructed  in  the  way 
of  Truth,  and  that  they  be  in  nowise  abused,  nor  their  estates 
wasted,  and  that  poor  orphans  may  be  provided  for." — (Third- 
haven  Half-Year  Meeting.) 

1680. — "  Abraham  Strand  redeemed  a  child  intrusted  with 
a  Friend  out  of  hard  servitude,  and  coming  to  some  loss  there- 
by, the  meeting  doth  agreee  to  pay  him,  the  said  Abraham 
Strand,  two  hogsheads  of  tobacco ;  that  is,  one  from  the 
Eastern  Shore,  and  one  from  this  [Western]  side,  in  considera- 
tion of  the  said  loss." — (West  River  Half-Year  Meeting.) 

1731.  — "It  is  the  judgment  of  this  meeting  that  for  the 
future  we  have  a  Yearly  Meeting  for  Widows  and  Orphans,  to 
be  held  on  the  second  day  of  the  week  yearly,  in  the  time  of 
the  Yearly  Meeting  in  this  house."* 

1732.  — "  At  a  Yearly  Meeting  for  the  care  of  widows  and 
orphans,  at  our  meeting-house,  at  the  head  of  Thirdhaven,  it  is 
the  judgment  of  this  meeting  that  James  Wilson  and  John 
Stephens  address  the  court  with  a  petition,  setting  forth  our 
right  to  our  deceased  Friend  Josiah  Parrot's  son,  and  employ 
counsel  to  plead  to  the  same,  at  the  public  charge  of  Friends." 
— (Thirdhaven  Yearly  Meeting.) 

Reports  were  received  from  Cecil,  Tuckahoe,  Treadhaven, 
Choptank,  and  Transquaking,  all  on  the  Eastern  Shore. 

Similar  meetings  continued  to  be  held  for  many  years,  but 
were  probably  found  less  needful  as  the  courts  became  better 
organized.    But  so  late  as  , 

1755. — "  There  being  very  great  omissions  in  many  in  not 
accounting  for  the  state  of  the  widows  and  orphans,  this  meet- 
ing thinks  proper  to  appoint  Joseph  Richardson  and  Philip 
Thomas,  Jr.,  to  let  the  several  Monthly  Meetings  on  the  West- 

*  The  meeting-house  at  the  head  of  Thirdhaven  Creek. 
16 


242 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


ern  Shore  know  of  the  said  omissions  by  ■writing,  and  to  advise 
them  to  put  the  Friends,  appointed  in  the  several  Weekly 
Meetings,  upon  being  more  diligent  in  the  discharge  of  their 
duty ;  and  James  Wilson  and  Isaac  Williams  to  do  the  like  to 
the  Monthly  Meetings  on  the  Eastern  Shore." — (Thirdhaven 
Yearly  Meeting.)  , 

Although  I  could  cite  many  instances  of  care  within  our 
own  Yearly  Meeting  limits,  yet  it  is  probable  that  the  greater 
providence  of  William  Penn  had  provided  more  for  the  secui'ity 
and  comfort  of  widows  and  orphans,  and  therefore  left  less  for 
the  meetings  to  supply  in  Pennsylvania  than  in  the  other  pro- 
vinces. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  fundamental  principle  maintained  by  Friends, — the  im- 
mediate revelation  of  God  in  the  soul, — so  abundantly  expe- 
rienced in  the  patriarchal  ages,  and  so  manifestly  inculcated 
by  Jesus  Christ  and  his  early  followers,  has  been  long  denied 
to  exist  in  later  days  by  most  other  Christian  professors ; — hence 
it  is  obvious  that  Friends  have  assumed  a  higher  ground  of 
religious  faith  and  practice,  and  a  more  spiritual  mode  of  worship, 
in  accordance  with  the  declaration,  that  "  God  is  a  Spirit,  and 
they  Avho  worship  Him,  must  worship  Him  in  spirit  and  in 
truth." 

Friends  are,  moreover,  distinguished  from  most  other  reli- 
gious professors  by  the  testimonies  which  they  have  hitherto 
borne  against  all  war  and  violence,  all  oppressions,  all  excess 
and  intemperate  indulgence  in  the  use  of  temporal  goods  and 
enjoyments ;  and,  consequently,  for  their  opposites,  peace, 
brotherly  love  and  kindness,  liberty,  plainness,  simplicity,  and 
moderation  in  all  things. 


SCHOOLS. 


243 


The  (parent  is  the  natural  guardian  and  instructor  of  the 
child,  appointed  so  to  be  by  God  himself ;  and,  as  it  is  the 
parent's  duty  to  serve  God  aright,  and  to  follow  and  obey 
His  requirements  in  all  things,  so  it  is  his  duty  faithfully  to 
lead,  educate,  and  instruct  his  tender  charge  ;  "  to  train  him 
up  in  the  way  he  should  go,  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not 
depart  from  it."  Duty  to  the  child  is  duty  to  God;  and  neg- 
lect of  the  one  is  also  neglect  of  the  other ; — they  are  insepa- 
rable ;  and  that  which  is  the  duty  of  an  individual  is  equally 
the  duty  of  numbers,  whether  great  or  small,  when  associated 
in  religious  society. 

Friends  have  ever  been  aware  of  their  peculiar  position,  and 
of  the  necessity  which  existed  for  them  to  provide  a  carefully- 
guarded  religious  education  for  their  children  and  youth,  in 
accordance  with  their  principles  and  testimonies ;  without  which, 
the  seductive  influences  of  the  world's  ways  and  customs  would 
continually  operate  to  unfit  and  disqualify  them  from  coming 
up  to  fill  the  position  which  their  fathers  occupied,  as  able  testi- 
mony-bearers to  the  Truth,  and  faithful  watchmen  On  the  walls 
of  our  Zion. 

In  agreement  with  the  views  here  presented,  Friends  have 
long  been  concerned  to  establish  and  maintain  schools  at  their 
own  cost,  and  under  their  own  direction  and  control,  for  the 
education  of  their  children.  Not,  however,  so  much  for  the 
purpose  of  giving  them  religious  instruction  in  schools,  as  to  be 
able  to  exclude  therefrom  any  influences  which  might  poison 
their  tender  minds,  and  lead  them  away  from  the  simplicity  of 
the  Truth. 

1683.—"  At  a  council  held  in  Philadelphia,  the  20th  of  the 
tenth  month,  1683,  present, — 

"William  Penn,  Proprietor  and  Governor;  Thos.  Holmes, 
Wm.  Haigue,  Lasse  Cock,  Wm.  Clayton. 

"  The  Governor  and  Provincial  Council,  having  taken  into 
their  serious  consideration  the  necessity  there  is  of  a  school- 
master for  the  instruction  and  sober  education  of  youth  in  the 
town  of  Philadelphia,  sent  for  Enoch  Flower,  an  inhabitant  of 


244 


♦ 

RETROSPECT  OF  KARLY  QUAKERISM. 


the  said  town,  ■who,  for  twenty  years  past,  hath  been  exercised 
in  that  care  and  employment  in  England  ;  to  whom,  having  com- 
municated their  minds,  he  embraced  it  upon  these  following  terms: 
To  learn  to  read  English,  4s.  by  the  cparter ;  to  learn  to  read 
and  write,  Gs.  by  the  quarter  ;  to  learn  to  read,  wi'ite,  and  cast 
accounts,  8s.  by  the  quarter  ;  for  boarding  a  scholar, — that  is  to 
say,  diet,  washing,  lodging,  and  schooling, — ten  pounds  for  one 
whole  year." — (Colonial  Records,  i,  01.) 

1G93. — "  Agreed  at  this  meeting,  that  Benjamin  Clift  teach 
school  a  year,  beginning  the  20th  day  of  the  seventh  month, 
1C93,  and  to  have  £12  Os.  OcZ."— (Darby  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1746. — "  We  desire  you,  in  your  several  Monthly  Meetings, 
to  encourage  and  assist  each  other  in  the  settlement  and  sup- 
port of  schools  for  the  instruction  of  your  children,  at  least  to 
read  and  write,  and  some  further  useful  learning,  to  such 
Avhose  circumstances  will  permit  it.  And  that  you  observe,  as 
much  as  possible,  to  employ  such  masters  and  mistresses  as 
are  concerned,  not  only  to  instruct  your  children  in  their  learn- 
ing, but  are  likewise  careful  in  the  wisdom  of  God  and  a  spirit 
of  meekness,  gradually  to  bring  them  to  a  knowledge  of  their 
duty  to  God  and  one  another ;  and  we  doubt  not  such  endea- 
vors will  be  blessed  with  success.  And,  on  the  contrary,  we 
think  there  is  too  much  cause  to  apprehend  that  some  chil- 
dren, by  the  evil  examples  and  bad  principles  of  their  school- 
masters, have  been  learned  with  those  principles,  which  led 
them  to  bad  practices  in  the  course  of  their  lives." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

1751. — "  The  consideration  of  the  proposal  made  last  year, 
concerning  the  settling  of  schools  in  the  country,  being  re- 
sumed, and,  inasmuch  as  our  elder  brethren  in  London  have 
likewise  recommended  the  consideration  of  this  weighty  affair, 
after  some  observations  and  reasons  offered  to  urge  the  neces- 
sity thereof,  it  is  agreed,  that  it  be  again  recommended  to 
the  Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meetings  to  encourage  their  re- 
spective members  to  exert  themselves  as  fully  therein  as  their 
present  circumstances  will  permit ;  and  to  think  of  methods 


SCHOOLS. 


245 


by  which  this  good  work  may  be  effected  in  time." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

1778. — "  It  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting  that  Friends  having 
united  with  others  in  employing  such  persons  for  masters  who 
have  not  submitted  to  the  operation  of  Truth,  hatli  had  a 
tendency  to  strengthen  a  disposition  in  our  youth  to  avoid 
the  cross  and  unite  with  the  spirit  of  the  world,  whereby 
many  hurtful  and  corrupt  things  have  gained  ground  among  us. 

"  The  consideration  of  the  importance  of  training  up  our 
youth  in  useful  learning,  under  the  tuition  of  religious,  pru- 
dent persons,  suitably  qualified  for  that  service,  came  weightily 

before  the  meeting  We  therefore  think  it  Becessary 

that  it  be  recommended  to  the  Quarterly  and  from  thence  to 
the  Monthly  and  Preparative  Meetings,  that  the  former  ad- 
vices of  collecting  a  fund  for  the  establishment  and  support 
of  schools,  under  the  care  of  standing  committees  appointed 
by  the  Monthly  or  Preparative  Meetings,  should  generally 
take  place  

"  We  also  think  it  necessary  that  this  weighty  concern 
should  in  future  become  the  continued  care  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  by  an  annual  query,  so  that  the  matter  may  rest  on 
a  solid  foundation,  and  every  possible  encouragement  and  as- 
sistance may  be  afforded  to  Friends  in  the  settlement  of  schools, 
providing  masters,  &c.,  through  the  whole  extent  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting. 

"And,  notwithstanding  some  difficulty  may  appear  in  the 
raising  a  sufficiency  fully  to  answer  the  end  proposed,  yet,  as 
improvements  of  this  kind  have  often  arisen  from  small  be- 
ginnings, it  is  desired  that  Friends  be  not  discouraged  by  their 
inability ;  but,  having  faith  in  the  Divine  blessing  being  con- 
ferred on  their  benevolent  intentions,  would  begin  by  making 
some  provisions,  agreeably  to  the  circumstances  of  their  re- 
spective meetings ;  that,  in  the  compass  of  each  meeting 
where  the  settlement  of  a  school  is  necessary,  a  lot  of  ground 
be  provided  sufficient  for  a  garden,  orchard,  grass  for  a  cow, 
&c.,  and  that  a  suitable  house,  stable,  &c.,  be  erected  thereon. 
There  are  but  few  meetings  but  which  may,  in  labor,  in 


246 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


materials,  or  money,  raise  so  much  as  would  answer  such  a 
charge." 

"  And  here  a  sorrowful  occasion  occurs,  which  we  desire  to 
mention  with  caution  and  tenderness ;  that  is,  the  backward- 
ness, so  apparent  among  us,  to  contribute  that  part  of  our  sub- 
stance Avhich  the  circumstances  of  things  and  the  necessities  of 
the  people  have,  on  different  occasions,  made  necessary.  If 
this  had  not  been  the  case,  a  matter  of  so  great  importance  as 
the  virtuous  education  of  our  youth  would  not  have  been  neg- 
lected for  so  long  a  course  of  years,  after  such  pressing  advices 
had  been  so  expressly  handed  down  from  the  Yearly  Meeting. 
Hence  arises  a  query,  how  far  our  neglect  of  applying  to  the 
necessary  service  of  our  fellow-men  such  part  of  the  goods 
many  have  laid  up  in  store,  is  one  of  the  causes  of  the  deep 
afl3iction  which  now  so  feelingly  attends  ?  and  how  small  a 
portion  of  what  has  been  forcibly  taken  from  many  (if  it  had 
been  seasonably  and  cheerfully  contributed),  would  have  an- 
swered the  several  good  purposes  which  have  either  been  refused 
or  neglected  by  us?" — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

Allusion  is  here  made  to  the  suffering  which  Friends  were 
then  under  on  account  of  military  requisitions  (see  Sufferings); 
and  it  may  be  well  for  us  of  the  present  day  to  consider  how 
far  we  may  be  subjecting  ourselves  to  some  afflictive  dispen- 
sation by  a  similar  neglect. 

1779. — "  This  meeting,  being  further  fervently  concerned  for 
the  pious  education  of  our  youth,  and  their  preservation  from  the 
corrupt  conversation  prevailing,  and  the  various  temptations  to 
which  they  are  exposed,  again  earnestly  recommend  this  im- 
portant matter  to  the  deep  and  solid  attention  of  parents,  and 
all  others  who  have  the  weighty  trust  of  the  youth  committed 
to  them,  with  fervent  desires  that  it  may  deeply  impress  the 
minds  of  Friends  in  general;  and  that  Quarterly  and  Monthly 
Meetings  may  dAvell  under  a  living  concern  and  exercise,  and, 
in  the  influence  of  Divine  wisdom,  proceed  to  fulfil  the  weighty 


SCHOOLS. 


247 


advice  recommended  on  this  subject  by  the  meeting  in  the  last 
and  foregoing  years." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1787. — "  Attention  being  given  to  the  general  account  of 
care  exercised  in  most  parts  for  the  promotion  of  well-regu- 
lated schools,  for  the  instruction  of  the  youth  in  useful  learn- 
ing, there  appears  a  ground  of  hope  that  the  momentous  concern 
is  gradually  making  way  in  the  minds  of  Friends. 

"  And  a  desire  prevailing  that  our  brethren  everywhere  may 
be  encouraged  to  persevere  in  this  desirable  work,  a  continued 
close  regard  to  its  importance,  and  the  evil  consequences  re- 
sulting from  a  neglect  of  it,  is  earnestly  urged  afresh  to  the 
vigilant  care  of  concerned  Friends  in  each  Quarter,  to  be  ex- 
tended not  only  to  the  children  of  Friends  in  more  easy  cir- 
cumstances in  life,  but  also  to  the  offspring  of  such  as  are  poor, 
and  of  the  black  people,  whose  condition  gives  them  a  claim 
to  that  benefit,  consistent  with  the  sense  of  this  meeting,  con- 
tained in  the  repeated  advices  given  forth." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1792. — "  We,  the  committee  appointed  at  the  request  of 
Kennet  Preparative  Meeting,  respecting  the  establishing  a 
school  within  the  verge  thereof,  .  .  .  find  they  have  purchased 
a  piece  of  ground,  &c,,  about  two  miles  and  a  half  westerly  from 
Kennet  Meeting-house,  adjoining  the  public  road  leading  to 
Nottingham,"  &c. — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1796. — "The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  preparing 
a  plan  to  raise  a  fund  for  the  benefit  of  schools,  reported,  &c., 
a  plan  for  raising  a  fund  for  the  benefit  of  schools  within  the 
bounds  of  Kennet  Monthly  Meeting,  whereby  Friends  may 
have  an  opportunity  of  manifesting  their  benevolent  intentions 
by  subscribing  thereto  : — 

"1.  That  each  subscriber  to  this  plan  pay,  at  the  time  of 
subscribing,  or  give  his  or  her  note  to  the  Treasurer  and  Clerk 
of  the  Trustees,  or  their  successors,  appointed  by  Kennet 
Monthly  Meeting  to  have  the  care  of  this  fund,  for  a  sum  of 
money,  payable  at  any  time  not  exceeding  three  years  after 
date,  with  interest  of  five  per  cent,  per  annum,  paid  annually 
for  the  same. 

"  2.  The  Treasurer  shall  have  a  book  for  the  purpose,  and 


248 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


keep  fair  entries  of  all  money  due  and  received  ;  likewise  of  all 
money  expended ;  and  his  receipt  shall  be  a  sufficient  discharge 
for  any  money  paid  to  him  for  the  use  of  schools. 

"  3.  Whenever  the  Treasurer  shall  receive  any  new  subscrip- 
tion, or  any  money  for  the  benefit  of  the  schools,  he  shall  re- 
port the  same  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  Trustees  of  the  said 
schools. 

"4.  When  the  Trustees  receive  any  money  for  the  use  of 
schools,  they  shall,  as  soon  as  they  conveniently  can,  put  the 
same  to  interest  on  good  security ;  or  they  may  purchase  land 
or  ground-rent  therewith,  as  shall  appear  best  for  the  time 
being. 

"  5.  The  Trustees  shall,  as  soon  as  they  see  occasion,  apply 
the  interest  arising  from  this  fund  to  schooling  the  children  of 
such  poor  people,  whether  Friends  or  others,  as  live  within  the 
verge  of  the  aforesaid  Monthly  Meeting ;  provided  such  chil- 
dren comply  with  the  rules  of  the  schools. 

"  G.  We  recommend  it  to  each  other,  as  often  as  we  find  an 
increase  of  property  and  openness  of  heart,  to  add  something 
more  to  our  subscriptions;  whereby  it  is  hoped  the  Monthly 
Meeting  may,  in  time,  be  enabled  more  fully  to  comply  with 
the  advice  of  the  Yeai-ly  Meeting  in  1778  respecting  schools. 

"  7.  And  as  a  variety  of  circumstances  may  in  future  occur, 
which  the  human  eye  cannot  foresee,  nor  understanding  con- 
ceive ;  therefore,  the  Trustees  shall,  from  time  to  time,  manage 
this  fund,  as  shall  appear  to  them  best  to  promote  the  welfare 
of  the  said  schools  and  the  poor  thereunto  belonging  ;  also,  if 
the  interest  may  be  to  spare,  they  may  assist  therewith  in 
keeping  the  school-houses  in  repair,  and  in  paying  the  salaries 
of  schoolmasters  or  schoolmistresses  within  the  verge  of  the 
said  meeting ;  provided  the  principal  be  not  thereby  lessened. 

"8.  If,  at  any  time,  the  Trustees  may  not  all  judge  alike 
how  they  ought  to  proceed,  in  such  cases  they  are  to  apply  to 
the  aforesaid  Monthly  Meeting  for  assistance. 

"  9.  The  Trustees  shall,  from  time  to  time,  be  accountable 
to  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Kennet  for  their  management  of 
the  fund,  as  directed  in  the  minute  of  their  appointment. 


SCHOOLS. 


249 


"  Signed,  by  order  of  Kcntict  Monthly  Meeting,  held  the 
15th  of  twelfth  month,  1796,  by 

"  Caleb  Pennock, 

''Clcrkr 

The  records  of  Concord,  Wilmington,  and  perhaps  many 
other  Monthly  Meetings,  contain  nearly  similar  plans  for  the 
establishment  of  school-funds,  and  give  evidence  of  their  suc- 
cessful application.  The  Trustees  of  Kennet  were  reneAved  by 
the  following  minute  in 

1804.  —  "Kennet  Preparative  Meeting  proposes  Robert 
Lamborn,  Caleb  Hoopes,  and  Moses  Mendenhall,  Jr.,  for 
Trustees  in  the  care  of  their  school-fund,  and  Isaac  Bennet 
for  Treasurer;  Hockessin  proposes  Caleb  Sharpless,  Ephraim 
Jackson,  and  Stephen  Wilson,  Trustees,  and  James  Phillips  for 
Treasurer ;  Marlborough  proposes  Joseph  Barnard,  Enoch 
Wickersham,  and  David  Chalfant,  Trustees,  and  Richard  Bar- 
nard, Jr.,  for  Treasurer ;  which,  being  considered,  is  united 
"vvith,  and  they  appointed  to  said  service.  Marlborough  also 
informs  that  they  have  entered  into  a  subscription  toward  their 
school-fund,  which  at  present  amounts  to  five  hundred  and 
seventy-six  dollars  (^576)."— (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1808. — "  The  Meetinji;  for  Sulferino-s  having  stated  in  their 
minutes,  that  some  in  membership  with  us  have  placed  their 
children  at  colleges  and  other  seminaries  out  of  our  religious 
Society,  in  order  to  give  them  what  is  termed  a  polished  edu- 
cation ;  the  subject  engaging  the  solid  consideration  of  the 
meeting,  viewing  the  youth  of  both  sexes  thus  situated  as  very 
likely  to  have  their  minds  imbued  with  sentiments  and  princi- 
ples which  strengthen  them  in  vain  desires  after  exaltation 
and  grandeur,  and  often  lead  them  from  the  salutary  restraints 
inculcated  by  our  religious  profession,  it  is  desired  that  tender 
caution  and  counsel  be  extended  to  such  parents,  and  others, 
who  may  be  in  danger  of  erring  in  this  way." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 


250 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


1819. — "Marlborough  Meeting  informs  that  their  school- 
fund  is  increased  to  ^1064  49,"  &c. — (Kennet  Monthly  Meet- 
ing-) 


CHAPTER  XYII. 

QUERIES. 

Monthly,  Quarterly,  and  Yearly  Meetings  must  very  early 
have  experienced  the  want  of  an  acquaintance  with  the  state 
and  condition  of  their  subordinate  branches,  to  obtain  which 
they  had  recourse  to  interrogatories,  beginning  with  the  smaller 
and  thence  ascending  to  the  larger  assemblies. — (See  Over- 
seers, &c.) 

1707.  — "  The  Yearly  Meeting  paper  of  Discipline  being  pro- 
duced, it  is  agreed  that  Samuel  Darke,  &c.,  do  draw  several 
other  particulars  necessary  to  ask  the  Overseers  monthly,  and 
bring  them  to  the  next  Monthly  Meeting,  in  order  to  be 
recommended  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  for  approbation." — 
(Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1708.  — "  There  being  several  particular  questions  relating 
to  discipline,  which  was  thought  needful  to  ask  the  Overseers, 
drawn  up  and  presented  to  this  meeting,  and  they  being  read, 
were  approved ;  and  it  is  agreed  each  Monthly  Meeting  have 
a  copy  of  them,  and  that  the  Overseers  of  each  Monthly 
Meeting  answer  to  them,  and  the  representatives  to  the 
Quarterly  Meeting." — (Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

In  those  days  a  Quarterly  Meeting  was  mainly  a  kind  of 
general  Monthly  Meeting,  and  performed  very  similar  functions, 
but  possessed  the  religious  weight  and  experience  of  the  several 
Monthly  Meetings  combined,  and  hence  its  conclusions  were 
deemed  to  be  more  authoritative  and  obligatory  by  them. 


QUERIES. 


251 


The  following  minute  shows  the  care  and  concern  experienced 
by  Friends  in  tliose  days,  and  the  extraordinary  labor  which 
they  performed." 

1711. — "  Forasmuch  as  the  last  Yearly  Meeting  had  a 
concern  upon  them  to  recommend  the  putting  in  practice  more 
strictly  the  particulars  mentioned  in  the  Book  of  Discipline,  it 
is  therefore  agreed,  that  care  be  taken  accordingly  ;  and  in  order 
thereto,  this  meeting  recommends  the  following  method,  viz.  : 

"  That  this  Quarterly  Meeting  do,  henceforth,  from  time  to 
time,  inquire  of  each  Monthly  Meeting's  Representatives,  how 
the  Book  of  Discipline,  and  that  which  relates  thereto  in  the 
general  testimony,  which  according  to  former  advices  is  to  be 
quarterly  read  in  our  meetings  for  Avorship,  be  kept  to  and  put 
in  practice ;  but  particularly  how  these  following  matters  or 
articles  therein  contained,  are  observed  and  kept,  viz. : 

"  That  against  proposing  marriages  without  Friends'  consent, 
and  that  about  burials  being  kept  solid  and  grave  ;  that  about 
parents'  and  masters'  care  to  keep  children  and  servants  from 
hurtful  principles  and  practices,  and  that  they  marry  with  none 
but  Friends  ;*  that  against  unseasonable  keeping  company 
with  women,  or  at  all,  in  order  for  marriage,  with  such  as  don't 
profess  Truth. 

"  That  against  inviting  servants  to  marriages,  except  near 
relations.  That  against  going  to  the  marriages  of  any  that 
profess  Truth,  but  iharry  not  among  Friends.  That  of  keeping 
company  in  order  for  marriage  with  any  one's  servant,  without 
leave  of  master  or  mistress.  That  about  being  clear  of  one 
before  being  concerned  with  another.  That  of  being  too  hasty 
in  marriage  after  the  death  of  husband  or  wife,  and  against 

*  Friends  in  those  days  were  a  laboring  people,  and  they  brought  up 
their  children  to  labor.  By  another  rule,  they  placed  them  as  apprentices 
(or  servants),  "among  Friends."  Hence,  in  respect  to  wealth  and  family, 
the  servant  might  equal  or  exceed  the  master;  indeed,  the  invidious  dis- 
tinction of  rich  and  poor  was  hardly  known  among  early  Friends,  and  cannot 
exist  in  the  true  Church  of  Christ.  Two  servants  of  John  Fenwich,in  1675, 
married  two  of  his  daughters. 


252 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


marriage  with  [by]  priests.  That  against  giving  occasion  of 
public  scandal,  and  that  against  all  disorderly  walkers  in 
general.  That  about  Friends  putting  their  children  to  appren- 
tices, or  otherwise  to  be  brought  up  by  those  who  are  not 
Friends.  That  about  parents  causing  their  children  often  to 
read  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  to  let  them  know  some  degree 
of  writing ;  and  that  they  be  bred  up  in  some  useful  employ- 
ment. That  against  drinking  to  excess,  swearing,  cursing, 
lying,  &c.  That  against  superfluity  of  apparel  and  furniture, 
in  all  its  branches.  That  against  calling  the  days  and  months 
contrary  to  Scripture,  and  against  calling  them  by  the  names 
of  the  idol  gods  of  the  heathen.  That  about  speaking  the  plain 
Scripture  language  of  thee  and  tliou.  That  against  buying  and 
trading  beyond  abilities,  and  of  not  keeping  to  our  words  and 
promises.  That  about  attending  Weekly  Meetings,  and  against 
disorderly  going  in  and  out;  and  against  sleeping  in  meetings. 
That  against  smoking  tobacco  in  streets,  roads,  and  public 
houses,  except  privately.  That  against  talking  and  tale-bear- 
ing. That  against  giving  any  just  occasion  of  trouble  to  the 
government,  and  against  our  refusing  to  pay  its  tributes  or 
assessments.  That  against  selling  rum  to  the  Indians,  and 
against  buying  Indian  slaves.  That  against  brother  going  to 
law  with  brother,  as  explained  or  amended  by  the  last  Yearly 
Meeting  held  at  Burlington.  That  against  challenging  to 
fight,  kc.  That  against  keeping  vain  or  loose  company,  in 
fairs,  markets,  drinking-houses,  or  any  other  places,  &c.  That 
against  vain  and  frothy  discourses,  drinking  to  excess,  and 
against  a  vain  custom  of  drinking  healths,  as  it  is  called,  and 
against  drinking  one  to  another. 

"And  it  is  this  meeting's  further  advice,  that  all  the  Prepa- 
rative Meetings  within  the  limits  of  this  meeting  do,  also,  duly 
and  in  order,  as  above  set  down,  inquire  into  all  the  above 
particulars,  that  they  may  be  the  better  enabled  thereby  to 
give  the  respective  Monthly  Meetings,  when  called  upon  as 
above  advised,  a  faithful  account  of  the  state  of  each  of  the 
said  particular  Preparative  Meetings.  And  when  at  any  time 
any  member  is  found  deficient,  as  to  his  duty  and  circumspect 


QUERIES. 


253 


walking,  in  any  of  the  aforesaid,  or  any  other  particuhir  thing, 
that  then  such  be  dealt  with  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  in  true 
brotherly  love,  and  according  to  the  directions  of  the  said  Dis- 
cipline Book.  And  that  copies  of  this  be  sent  by  the  clerk  to 
each  Monthly  Meeting,  and  that  each  Monthly  Meeting  let 
each  Preparative  that  respectively  belongs  to  them  have  a  copy 
also." — (Concord  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

It  would  be  well  if  Friends  would  compare  the  Christian  care 
and  watchful  regard  which  the  meetings  in  those  days  exer- 
cised over  their  members,  and  seriously  inquire  why  there  has 
been  so  much  declension  among  us  in  this  respect.  Let  none 
excuse  themselves  by  throwing  the  blame  upon  the  meetings, 
for  we  must  remember  that  a  meeting  is  nothing  else  than  the 
members  who  compose  it.  If  the  members  will  properly  dis- 
charge their  duties,  the  meetings  will  not  be  found  deficient. 

1712. — The  representatives  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  were 
directed  to  report :  "  That  the  heads  of  the  Book  of  Discipline 
have  been  read  in  this  meeting,  and  that  the  Particular  Meet- 
ings being  called,  and  examined  upon  every  article  therein  con- 
tained, and  account  being  given  that  things  are  in  the  general 
pretty  well ;  and  that  when  anything  hath  happened  that  is 
amiss,  care  is  taken  for  amendment  therein." — (Concord  Month- 
ly Meeting.) 

1714. — "  Dear  Friends :  After  the  salutation  of  our  dear 
love  to  you,  by  this  you  may  understand  that  our  meetings  are 
pretty  well  kept  to,  and  Friends  are  in  love  and  unity  in  gene- 
ral ;  and  care  is  taken  that  the  discipline  be  put  in  practice." 
— (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1718.  — "The  state  of  this  meeting  is  as  followeth :  In  a 
general  way,  peace  and  unity  is  preserved  among  us  ;  and  when 
anything  is  out  of  order,  care  hath  been  and  is  taken  to  rectify 
what  is  amiss." — (Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1719.  — "  John  Roberts,  Richard  Hayes,  Reece  Thomas, 
Rowland  Ellis,  and  Lewis  Walker,  are  appointed  to  attend  the 
next  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Philadelphia  ;  and  we  are  comforted, 


254 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


that  love  and  condescension  are  in  some  good  degree  among  us, 
and  we  desire  that  the  Lord  may  increase  it  among  us  here, 
and  among  us  everywhere." — (Radnor  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1721. — "  The  Friends  appointed  to  attend  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  are, — John  Carver,  John  Knowls,  Anthony  Clinker, 
Evan  Loyd,  and  Robert  Fletcher ;  who  are  to  report  the 
present  state  of  the  meeting,  which  is :  that  meetings  are  kept 
up,  and  Friends  in  love  and  unity,  and  Discipline  kept  to  in  a 
good  degree." — (Abington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1725. — "  The  queries  being  read,  the  overseers  report  they 
have  nothing  at  present  to  offer." — (Middletown  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

This  is  the  earliest  notice  I  have  seen  of  "  the  queries  being 
read."  The  Yearly  Meeting,  held  at  Thirdhaven  in  the  same 
year,  has  the  following  minute : — 

1725. — "  This  Yearly  Meeting  orders  these  eighteen  queries 
following,  to  be  recommended  to  the  Quarterly  and  Monthly 
Meetings  for  the  ordering  of  the  Discipline  ;  and  that  they  be 
inquired  into  in  the  Monthly  Meetings,  as  they,  in  the  wisdom 
of  Truth,  shall  seem  convenient." — (Thirdhaven  Yearly  Meet- 
ing-) .  .•  . 

1741. — "  The  Friends  appointed  to  consider  what  queries 

may  be  suitable  to  interrogate  overseers  with,  report  that  they 
are  of  opinion  that  they  may  be  drawn  out  of  the  Book  of 
Discipline." — (Darby  Monthly  Meeting.) 

This  minute,  in  connection  with  the  preceding  one  of  Con- 
cord Monthly  Meeting,  may  explain  the  character  and  design 
of  the  questions  usually  asked  the  overseers ;  as,  also,  the 
following  : — 

1706. — "  Robert  Pyle  and  George  Pierce  are  appointed  to 
go  down  to  Nottingham,  and  take  with  them  the  order  of  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  for  the  settling  of  a  meeting  there ;  and 
also,  the  several  heads  out  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  so  far  as 


QUERIES. 


255 


maj  suit  their  circumstances,  in  order  for  tlie  settling  of  a 
Preparative  Meeting,  and  the  carrying  on  a  Church  govern- 
ment among  them,  according  to  the  good  order  of  Truth." — 
(Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

From  all  of  which,  it  is  evident  that  the  questions  asked 
Avere  in  reference  to  the  support  of  the  testimonies  of  Friends, 
and  to  the  maintenance  of  the  Discipline ;  they  being  sys- 
tematized and  extended,  but  not  essentially  changed,  by  the 
subsequent  action  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  which  follows  : — 

1743. — "  This  meeting  directs  that  the  following  queries 
may  be  read  in  the  several  Monthly  and  Preparative  Meetings 
within  the  verge  of  this  meeting,  at  least  once  in  each  quarter 
of  the  year  ;  to  the  end  that  the  overseers,  or  other  weighty 
Friends,  may  make  such  answers  to  them  as  they  may  be  able 
to  do,  and  their  respective  circumstances  may  require.  The 
members  of  such  meetings  may,  by  this  means,  be  from  time 
to  time  reminded  of  their  duty. 

"  I.  Are  Friends  careful  to  attend  their  meetings  for  wor- 
ship, both  on  first-days  and  other  days  of  the  week  appointed 
for  that  service  ?  and  are  they  careful  to  meet  at  the  hour 
appointed  ?  Do  they  refrain  from  sleeping  in  meetings?  or  do 
any  accustom  themselves  to  snuffing  or  chewing  tobacco  in 
meetings  ? 

"  II.  Do  Friends  keep  clear  of  excess,  either  in  drinking 
drams  or  other  strong  drink  ? 

"  III.  Are  there  any  who  keep  company,  in  order  for  mar- 
riage, with  those  who  are  not  of  us,  or  with  any  others  without 
the  consent  of  parents  or  guardians  ? 

"  IV.  Do  Friends  keep  clear  from  tattling,  tale-bearing, 
whispering,  backbiting,  and  meddling  in  matters  wherein  they 
are  not  concerned  ? 

"  V.  Are  there  any  Friends  that  frequent  music  houses,  or 
go  to  dancing  or  gaming  ? 

"VI.  Are  Friends  careful  to  train  up  their  children  in  the 
nurture  and  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  to  restrain  them  from  vice 


25G 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


and  evil  company,  and  to  keep  them  to  plainness  of  speech  and 
apparel  ? 

"  VII.  Are  the  poor  taken  care  of  and  are  their  children  put 
to  school  and  apprenticed  out  (after  sufficient  learning),  to 
Friends  ?  and  do  Friends  put  their  own  children  out  to  Friends, 
as  much  as  may  be  ? 

"VIII.  Are  there  any  who  launch  into  business  beyond 
what  they  are  able  to  manage,  and  so  break  their  promises,  in 
not  paying  their  just  debts  in  due  time?  And  where  differ- 
ences happen,  are  endeavors  used  to  have  them  speedily  ended? 

"IX.  Are  there  any  belonging  to  this  meeting  that  are 
removed  without  certificates  ?  or  are  there  any  from  other 
parts  appearing  as  Friends,  and  have  not  produced  a  certificate? 

"  X.  Are  Friends  clear  of  depriving  the  King  of  his  duties  ? 

"  XI.  Do  Friends  observe  the  former  advices  of  the  Yearly- 
Meeting,  not  to  encourage  the  importation  of  negroes,  nor  to 
buy  them  after  imported  ? 

"XII.  Are  Friends  careful  to  settle  their  affairs  and  make 
their  wills  in  time  of  health? 

"  The  Overseers  and  other  Friends  are  earnestly  desired  to 
take  due  care  in  all  the  foregoing  particulars,  to  advise  or  deal 
with  such  as  are  in  the  breach  of  these  or  any  other  branch  of 
our  discipline." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  foregoing  queries  appear  to  have  had  a  twofold  purpose  ; 
first,  to  remind  Friends  of  their  duties  as  members  of  social 
and  religious  society  ;  and  second,  to  enable  meetings  to  judge 
how  far  Overseers  discharged  the  responsible  duties  submitted 
to  them. 

1744. — "  This  being  the  time  the  queries  ought  to  have  been 
read,  but  the  meeting  was  thin,  it  is  desired  that  they  be  read 
next  Monthly  Meeting,  before  the  men  and  women  part." — 
(Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

From  all  the  foregoing,  it  appears  that  the  inferior  meetings 
were  not  required  to  send  their  answers  up  to  the  superior  ones. 


QUERIES. 


257 


But  in  1755,  this  important  duty  was  enjoined  upon  them  ; 
thus  enabling  superior  meetings  to  judge  of  the  state  of  their 
subordinates,  and  to  perform  their  legitimate  functions,  by 
encouraging,  assisting,  advising,  or  admonishing  them  as  occa- 
sion might  require.  i 

1755. — "  Agreed,  that  the  following  queries  be  read  in  the 
respective  Preparative  and  Monthly  Meetings  next  preceding 
the  Quarterly  Meetings,  and  be  distinctly  and  particularly 
answered  to,  by  the  Overseers  or  other  solid  and  judicious 
Friends,  and  such  particular  and  distinct  answers,  transmitted 
from  the  Preparative  to  the  Monthly,  and  from  thence,  in 
writing  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

Since  the  above  period  the  queries  have  been  occasionally 
modified  to  suit  the  varying  circumstances  of  society,  which 
need  not  be  specially  noticed  here. 

Few  opportunities  have  presented  to  make  extracts  from  the 
records  of  Women's  Meetings,  though  sometimes  possessing 
peculiar  interest,  as  the  following  document  will  show. 

1764. — "  From  women  Friends  of  the  Western  Quarterly 
Meeting,  held  at  London  Grove,  the  20th  of  the  eighth  month, 
1764. 

"  To  Women  Friends  at  the  next  Yearly  Meeting  to  be  held 
in  Philadelphia  : — 

"  Dear  Friends, — This  meeting  having  received  reports  in 
answer  to  the  twelve  queries  from  all  the  meetings  belonging 
thereto,  except  Hopewell  in  Virginia,  and  a  concern  having 
increased  in  this  meeting  of  late,  that  Friends  of  our  sex  may 
come  up  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty  more  generally  and 
fully  than  heretofore  ;  which  concern  has  been  blessed,  at  times, 
with  the  covering  of  Divine  goodness  among  us,  whereby  the 
strength  of  the  mourners  in  Zion  has  been  measurably  strength- 
ened and  encouraged  still  to  an  increase  of  care. 

"And  it  has  been  apparent,  in  divers  places  within  the  verge 
of  this  meeting,  that  where  the  solemn  inquiries  into  the  state 

17 


258 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


of  the  Church,  by  our  queries,  have  been  the  most  carefully 
attended  to,  and  endeavors  used,  not  to  hide,  but  to  point  out  to 
superior  meetings,  pretty  closely,  the  state  of  affairs,  laboring 
for  amendment  from  time  to  time  where  deficiencies  appear  ; 
in  those  places  the  necessity  of  further  endeavors  for  a  re- 
formation has  seemed  still  greater  to  many.  It  is  from  these 
considerations  a  remnant  are  induced  to  believe  it  necessary 
we  should  be  more  particular  than  formerly  in  opening  the 
real  state  of  things  amongst  us,  although  some  of  our  defi- 
ciencies may  be  thereby  discovered  to  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
which  we  hope  may  obtain  the  sympathy  of  the  body  of  con- 
cerned Friends,  and  not  at  all  obstruct  the  growth  and  promo- 
tion of  our  zeal. 

"According  to  the  reports,  our  first-day  meetings  are  mostly 
attended  by  Friends  pretty  generally,  except  one  belonging  to 
Fairfax  Monthly  Meeting ;  though  some  are  not  so  timely 
and  diligent  even  then  as  could  be  wished ; — that  week-day 
meetings,  considering  the  number  of  professors,  are  still  for 
the  greater  part  small,  and  remarkably  so  in  some  places  ; 
several  having  been  quite  neglected,  as  to  women  Friends, 
once  in  each  place.  Many  also  remain  negligent  in  attending 
their  Meetings  for  Discipline ;  yet  a  considerable  number  of 
Friends  are  concerned  to  keep  up  their  meetings  for  both 
worship  and  discipline.  Sleepiness  is  complained  of  as  pre- 
vailing over  some,  almost  in  every  meeting,  although  we  hope 
a  concern  is  rather  increasing  to  discourage  that,  and  to  stir 
up  the  negligent  to  their  duty  in  attending  meetings,  by 
suitable  admonitions  extended  to  such  as  are  faulty.  Respect- 
ing which  matters,  it  appears  to  us  that  most  of  our  meetings 
have  been  heretofore  deficient  in  care. 

"  A  good  degree  of  love  and  unity  is  reported  to  exist 
amongst  Friends ;  with  some  care,  mostly  to  discourage  tale- 
bearing, &c.,  and  to  end  differences  when  manifest ;  yet  there 
have  been  some  hints  of  concord  and  unity  not  sufficiently 
prevailing  in  divers  meetings,  from  different  causes.  And 
care  remains  with  many  to  observe  a  good  degree  of  modera- 
tion and  temperance  on  most  occasions  ;  except  that  a  remnant 


QDERIKS. 


259 


are  fearful  the  anxious  pursuit  of  this  world's  treasure,  rather 
beyond  the  bounds  of  true  moderation,  is  hurtful  to  a  number 
among  us.  Many  appear  to  be  concerned  to  example  and 
train  up  their  children  in  plainness  of  speech,  behavior,  and 
apparel ;  and  yet,  from  the  conduct  and  appearance  of  a  large 
number  of  our  youth  and  others,  it  is  also  apparent  that  a 
religious  concern  to  maintain  the  primitive  testimonies  of  Truth 
in  simplicity  has  been,  and  is  yet,  too  much  wanting  ;  on  ac- 
count of  whom  it  is  apprehended  by  some  of  us  that  the 
spirit  and  friendship  of  this  world  hath  in  a  great  measure 
taken  place,  instead  of  the  important  doctrine  of  true  self-denial. 
Our  reports  generally  mention  a  care  subsisting  towards  the 
poor,  and  placing  out  of  children,  though  some  we  fear  are 
deficient  therein  ;  and  that  disorderly  proceedings  in  marriage 
are  discouraged  mostly,  with  an  account  of  care  extended 
towards  those  that  transgress  or  connive  at  the  same. 

"  The  religious  education  of  the  negroes  that  remain  in 
slavery  amongst  us  is  still  too  little  i-egarded ; — otherwise  they 
are  said  to  be  mostly  pretty  well  provided  for  with  outward 
necessaries.  Some  unfaithfulness  has  appeared  respecting  the 
anti-Christian  demands  for  a  hireling  ministry.  Some  good 
degree  of  care,  in  other  respects,  remains  on  the  minds  of  a 
number  of  Friends  to  conduct  according  to  our  Christian  pro- 
fession ;  and  those  are  sensible  that  great  improvement  is 
necessary,  before  clear  reports  can  be  given  of  our  care  being 
duly  taken  to  regularly  maintain  all  the  extensive  parts  of  our 
Discipline. 

"We  find  but  few  meetings  have  been  engaged  in  the  service 
of  visiting  families  since  last  year,  though  a  remnant  has  had 
to  believe  it  has  been  favored  with  the  ownings  of  Divine  good- 
ness when  rightly  engaged  in.  Divers  Monthly  Meetings  have 
given  a  satisfactory  account  of  visits  they  have  had  from  a 
committee  appointed  by  the  Yearly  Meeting  for  that  purpose ; 
others  say  little,  as  they  have  had  only  a  small  part  of  such 
visits,  especially  some  distant,  remote  meetings,  where,  we  be- 
lieve, there  is  a  remnant  that  would  joyfully  receive  visits  of 


260 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


that  kind,  if  it  was  agreeable  to  the  mind  of  Truth  to  continue 
such  visits." — (Western  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Women  Friends.) 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

INDIANS. 

It  is  impossible,  within  our  limits,  to  do  more  than  furnish 
a  few  notes  in  relation  to  Friends  and  the  Indian  natives; 
whole  volumes  would  be  required  to  do  justice  to  this  interesting 
subject. 

1719. — "  Advised,  that  such  be  dealt  with  as  sell,  barter, 
or  exchange,  directly  or  indirectly,  to  the  Indians,  rum, 
brandy,  or  any  other  strong  liquors;  it  being  contrary  to  the 
care  Friends  always  had  since  the  settlement  of  these  countries, 
that  they  might  not  contribute  to  the  abuse  and  hurt  those 
poor  people  receive  by  drinking  thereof,  being  generally  inca- 
pable of  using  moderation  therein ;  and,  to  avoid  giving  them 
occasion  of  discontent,  it  is  advised  that  Friends  do  not  buy  or 
sell  Indian  slaves." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1722. — "  When  way  was  made  for  our  worthy  Friends,  the 
proprietors  and  owners  of  lands  in  these  provinces,  to  make 
their  first  settlements,  it  pleased  Almighty  God,  by  His  over- 
ruling providence,  to  influence  the  native  Indians  so  as  to  make 
them  very  helpful  and  serviceable  to  those  early  settlers,  be- 
fore they  could  raise  stock  or  provisions  to  sustain  themselves 
and  families  ;  and  it  being  soon  observed  that  those  people, 
when  they  got  rum  or  other  strong  liquors,  set  no  bounds  to 
themselves,  but  were  apt  to  be  abusive,  and  sometimes  destroyed 
one  another,  there  came  a  religious  care  and  concern  upon 
Friends,  both  in  their  meetings  and  legislature,  to  prevent 
those  abuses"  (here  the  advice  of  1687  is  repeated);  "and 
where  any,  under  our  profession,  shall  act  contrary  thereunto, 


INDIANS. 


261 


let  them  be  speedily  dealt  with  and  censured  for  their  evil 
practices." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1734._"To  New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting:— 
"Whereas,  it  hath  been  reported  that  I  sold  the  Indians 
rum,  which  I  acknowledge  to  bo  true,  and  am  heartily  sorry  for. 

"D  B  ." 

1759. — "  He  is  the  God  of  the  spirits  of  all  flesh,  and  deals 
with  His  people  agreeable  to  that  wisdom,  the  depth  whereof  is 
to  us  unsearchable.  We  in  this  province  may  say  He  hath,  as 
a  tender  and  gracious  Parent,  dealt  bountifully  with  us,  even 
from  the  days  of  our  fathers.  It  was  He  who  strengthened 
them  to  labor  through  the  difficulties  attending  the  improve- 
ment of  a  wilderness,  and  made  way  for  them  in  the  hearts  of 
the  natives,  so  that  by  them  they  were  comforted  in  times  of 
want  and  distress." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

This  sentiment  cannot  fail  to  be  strongly  impressed  upon  the 
mind  of  every  one,  who  will  impartially  study  our  colonial 
history. 

1794. — "  The  interesting  concern  under  which  this  meeting, 
from  time  to  time  in  years  past,  has  been  exercised,  and  where- 
with the  minds  of  many  Friends  have  been  so  deeply  affected 
in  relation  to  the  former  and  present  condition  of  the  Indian 
natives,  and  with  reference  to  events  and  occurrences  respect- 
ing them  through  a  long  course  of  years,  being  in  a  solid  man- 
ner, at  a  preceding  sitting,  weightily  revived  and  spread  with 
life  over  the  meeting  : — to  give  the  subject  more  fully  that 
weight  and  deliberate  consideration  its  importance  calls  for,  a 
number  of  Friends  were  named,  and  also  to  report  their  sense, 
whether  a  fund  might  not  be  fitly  appropriated  for  the  desirable 
purpose  of  promoting  the  civilization  and  well-being  of  the  In- 
dians ;  who  now  accordingly  produced  their  report,  which,  being 
read,  is  united  with,  being  as  follows: — 

*' '  To  the  Yearly  Meeting  now  sitting  :  The  committee  ap- 
pointed on  the  interesting  concern  for  promoting  the  welfare  of 
the  Indian  natives,  report,  that  at  several  meetings,  in  which 


262 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


■\ve  have  had  the  company  of  divers  concerned  brethren  not 
particularly  named  to  the  service,  we  have  deliberately  con- 
sidered this  important  subject,  which  hath  for  a  series  of  years 
deeply  exercised  the  minds  of  many  Friends,  and  been  latterly 
revived  in  the  Yearly  Meeting  with  increasing  weight.  Our 
minds  have  been  measurably  drawn  into  sympathy  with  these 
distressed  inhabitants  of  the  wilderness,  and  on  comparing  their 
situation  with  our  own,  and  calling  to  grateful  remembrance 
the  kindness  of  their  predecessors  to  ours,  in  the  early  settle- 
ment of  this  country ;  considering  also  our  professed  principles 
of  peace  and  good-will  to  men,  we  were  induced  with  much 
unanimity  to  believe  that  there  are  loud  calls  for  our  benevo- 
lence and  Christian  exertions,  to  promote  among  them  the 
principles  of  the  Christian  religion,  as  well  as  to  turn  their 
attention  to  school-learning,  agriculture,  and  the  useful  mecha- 
nical employments,  especially  as  there  appears  in  some  of  the 
tribes  a  willingness  to  unite  in  the  exercise  of  endeavors  of  this 
kind.  We  believe  that  this  end  may  be  much  promoted,  under 
the  Divine  blessing,  by  a  recommendation  from  this  meeting  to 
the  several  Quarterly  Meetings,  that  a  liberal  subscription  be 
set  on  foot,  and  a  fund  raised,  to  be  under  the  direction  of  a 
special  committee  to  be  appointed  by  the  Yearly  Meeting,  in 
order  that  these  pious  purposes  may  be  carried  into  effect  as 
early  as  practicable,  and  the  apparent  friendly  disposition  of 
government  towards  this  desirabie  object  be  improved.  And 
conceiving  that  the  subject  is  of  sufficient  magnitude  to  claim 
the  attention  of  our  religious  society  in  different  parts  of  this 
continent,  we  think  it  may  be  useful  to  hint  the  substance  of 
this  concern  in  the  epistles  to  the  respective  Yearly  Meetings.' 

"  Conformable  whereunto,  a  committee  was  appointed  for  the 
effecting  of  this  beneficial  purpose." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

In  this  way  the  diffusive  charities  of  the  Gospel  were  spread 
far  and  wide,  until  the  concern  engaged  the  united  attention 
of  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  New  York,  and  Genesee  Yearly 
Meetings  for  a  series  of  years ;  and  resulted  in  reinstat- 
ing the  Seneca  nation  of  Indians  in  the  possession  of  lands, 


TRADING. 


263 


from  which  they  were  about  to  be  perfidiously  expelled,  and 
which  secured  to  them  a  high  degree  of  civilization,  and  the 
social  and  domestic  comforts  of  a  more  settled  mode  of  living. 
This  labor  of  love  is  still  continued  by  most  of  the  Yearly 
Meetings  named. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

TRADING. 

1695. — "  Advised,  that  none  trade,  by  sea  or  land,  beyond 
their  abilities ;  and  that  Friends  keep  to  a  word  in  their  deal- 
ings, as  much  as  may  be ;  and  if  any  are  indebted,  at  home  or 
abroad,  and  answer  not  the  same  in  due  time,  that  such  be 
admonished  thereof,  that  Truth  may  not  be  reproached,  and 
people,  whether  rich  or  poor,  kept  out  of  their  just  debts." — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 

1701. — "Advised,  that  all  Friends  be  careful  to  preserve 
the  reputation  that  Truth  hath  given  them,  in  complying  with 
their  words  and  promises  to  their  utmost  power,  and  not  to 
be  lavish  or  rash  in  their  promises,  and  slack  in  their  perform- 
ances, which  often  brings  great  disappointments,  and  gives 
great  offence ;  and  not  to  trade  beyond  their  own  abilities,  to 
the  hazard  of  the  estates  of  others ;  nor  to  suffer  their  minds 
to  be  defiled  with  the  earth,  nor  oppressed  with  the  weight 
thereof ;  remembering  that  the  earth  was  made  for  the  service 
of  man,  and  not  man  to  be  a  servant  to  the  earth.  Dear 
Friends,  be  serious,  deep,  and  searching  in  this  point,  and  con- 
sider how  ignoble  and  debasing  a  thing  it  is  for  man  to  invest 
that  noble,  gracious,  primitive  institution,  in  which  man  was 
advanced  to  a  divine  dominion  over  the  visible  creation,  now  to 
prostrate  and  yield  himself  a  slave  to  that  over  which  he  once 
was,  and  still  should  be,  a  lord. 

"  And  that  none  under  the  profession  of  Truth,  who  are 


264 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


indebted  to  others  of  the  same  profession,  make  use  of  that  as 
a  protection  to  them  ;  thereby  uncivilly  and  unjustly  hoping  to 
be  out  of  the  reach  of  civil  authority,  and,  therefore,  careless 
in  discharging  their  duty." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1710. — "  It  is  the  advice  of  this  meeting  to  the  several 
Quarterly  Meetings,  that  care  may  be  taken  that  substantial 
Friends  be  appointed  to  visit  every  family  among  us  Avhere 
they  think  there  is  occasion  to  suspect  they  are  going  backward 
in  their  -worldly  estate,  and  to  inquire  and  see  how  things  are 
with  them  ;  and,  if  they  will  not  take  the  advice  of  Friends, 
then  to  give  them  Gospel  order,  and  proceed  therein  against 
them ;  which  the  Quarterly  Meetings  are  advised  to  recom- 
mend the  care  thereof  to  the  several  Monthly  Meetings. 

"  And,  dear  Finends,  this  meeting  being  under  a  holy  care 
and  deep  exercise  for  the  glory  of  God,  the  honor  of  our  holy 
profession,  and  safety  and  growth  of  every  member  of  the  body, 
do  desire  and  counsel  all  Friends,  in  the  love  of  our  God,  and 
for  their  own  good,  that  they  keep  to  such  lawful  and  honest 
employments  as  they  well  understand  and  are  able  to  manage, 
for  the  necessary  support  of  themselves  and  families,  and  not 
to  launch  out  beyond  their  abilities,  especially  on  such  credit 
as  Truth  may  have  given  them  with  their  brethren  or  others, 
and  more  at  their  hazard  who  trusted  them  than  their  own." — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 

1713. — "Advised,  that  all  Friends  be  very  careful  in  making 
and  vending  all  provisions  and  the  other  commodities  for  trans- 
portation, taking  care  that  the  same  be  good  and  of  due  fine- 
ness, measure,  and  weight." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1719. — "Advised,  that  such  be  dealt  with  as  trade  by  sea 
or  land,  or  buy,  bargain,  or  contract  beyond  their  abilities ; 
and  such  as  keep  not  their  words,  promises,  or  engagements,  in 
their  dealings,  and  do  not  pay  or  satisfy  their  just  debts,  ac- 
cording to  time  agreed  on.  These  being  a  reproach  to  Truth, 
and  a  manifest  injury  and  injustice,  advice  to  all  such  should 
be  speedily  given ;  and,  if  they  do  not  reclaim,  amend,  and 
duly  answer,  they  are  to  be  further  proceeded  against." — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 


TRADING. 


265 


1724. — "And  -whereas,  in  this  time  of  general  case  and 
liberty,  too  many  under  our  profession  have  launched  forth 
into  the  things  of  this  world,  beyond  their  substance  and 
capacity  to  discharge  a  good  conscience,  in  the  performance 
of  their  promises  and  contracts,  as  well  as  their  just  debts, 
to  the  great  scandal  of  our  holy  profession,  and  involving 
themselves,  their  families,  and  others,  in  great  sorrow  and 
inconveniences, — it  is,  therefore,  our  earnest  desire  that  all 
Friends,  everywhere,  be  very  careful  to  avoid  all  inordinate 
pursuit  after  the  things  of  this  world,  by  such  ways  and  means 
as  depend  too  much  upon  the  uncertain  probabilities  of 
hazardous  enterprises  ;  but  rather  labor  to  content  themselves 
with  such  a  plain  way  and  manner  of  living  as  is  most  agree- 
able to  the  self-denying  principle  of  Truth  which  we  profess, 
and  which  is  most  conducive  to  that  tranquillity  of  mind  that 
is  requisite  to  a  religious  conduct  through  this  troublesome 
world." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1737. — "It  is  our  advice,  when  any  professing  Truth  finds 
himself  not  able  to  comply  with  his  contracts,  that  he  call  his 
creditors  and  declare  his  condition  in  time ;  and,  by  showing 
the  honesty  of  his  intentions,  may  clear  the  Society  of  any 
scandalous  imputations ;  and  when  any  so  circumstanced  re- 
fuses to  do  so,  let  him  be  duly  censured." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1755. — "  It  is  a  Truth  that  ought  always  to  be  strongly 
impressed  upon  our  minds,  that  it  is  by  the  peculiar  indulgence 
of  Divine  Providence  we  are  favored  with  the  blessings  of 
peace,  liberty,  and  plenty,  in  the  extensive  manner  we  have 
long  enjoyed  them.  Considerations  of  this  kind,  if  faithfully 
retained,  would  lead  every  one  of  us  to  be  exceeding  cautious 
how  we  give  any  occasion  to  our  neighbors,  or  others,  to 
represent  us  as  a  Society  degenerated  from  that  integrity, 
justice,  and  uprightness"  (mentioned  above). — (Yearly  Meet- 

1795. — "A  S  attended  this  meeting,  and  offered  a 

paper  condemning  his  misconduct  in  consenting  to  the  sale  of 
four  barrels  of  flour  in  the  West  Indies,  which  had  not  the 


266  RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 

quantity  in  them,  expressed  by  the  brand." — (Wilmington 
Monthly  Meeting.) 


CHAPTER  XX. 

LAW. 

1679. — "  To  prevent  what  suits  of  law  may  be  prevented, — 
we  knowing  that  Friends  going  to  law,  though  our  cause  may 
be  just,  yet  the  Truth  seldom  gains  ground  thereby,  and  that 
true  love  and  unity  may  be  kept  up  among  us,  and  we  may 
stand  justified, — we  desire  that  care  may  be  taken  that  no 
Friend  go  forward  in  any  suit  of  law  without  the  advice  and 
consent  of  a  Man's  Meeting  ;*  except  he  be  maliciously  ar- 
rested suddenly,  so  that  he  cannot  have  time  before  he  may  be 
bound  to  answer  them,  to  take  the  counsel  of  three  or  four 
Friends ;  and  if  they  find  the  matter  may  make  against  the  Truth, 
if  it  be  possible,  let  it  be  ended.  Friends  may  remember  that 
Jacob,  the  peaceable  man,  bowed  to  Esau  for  peace  sake,  and 
because  he  would  not  be  hindered  in  his  journey ;  and  truly, 
dear  Friends,  many  of  us  have  experienced  that  suits  of  law 
never  furthered  our  journey,  but  rather  set  us  backward  ;  and 
we  believe  that  if  this  be  put  in  practice,  that  Truth  and 
Friends  may  find  a  benefit  by  it ;  for  a  Friend  that  may  be 
brought  into  trouble  of  law,  he  relating  the  matter  honestly 
and  fairly  to  Friends,  he  will  certainly  find  a  great  benefit, 
whether  the  matter  go  for  or  against  him, — if  it  cannot  be 
otherwise  ended.  So,  the  Lord  grant  that  we  may  all  be 
preserved  in  true  wisdom,  and  that  will  keep  us  in  true  mode- 
ration."— (Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1681. — "  It  is  ordered  that  if  any  difi'erences  do  arise  be- 
twixt any  two  persons  that  profess  Truth,  that  they  do  not  go 

*  Man's  Meeting,  as  here  used,  and  elsewliere,  appears  to  be  synonymous 
with  Monthly  Meeting  of  Men  Friends. 


LAW. 


207 


to  law  before  thcj  first  lay  it  before  the  particular  Monthly 
Meeting  that  tlicy  do  belong  unto." — (Yearly  Meeting.  See 
Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1681. — "At  a  Monthly  Meeting  held  at  Upland,  in  the 
house  of  Robert  Wade,  the  15th  of  the  seventh  month,  1681, — 

"  It  is  generally  agreed  and  ordered,  that  if  anything  fall 
out,  by  way  of  controversy,  betwixt  Friend  and  Friend,  that  if 
they  cannot  end  the  matter  between  themselves,  then  to  refer 
it  to  two  Friends,  or  more,  to  see  if  they  can  end  it ;  then,  if 
not,  to  bring  it  to  the  Monthly  Meeting,  there  to  be  ended." — 
(Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  only  I'ecords  which  I  have  seen  of  the  Yearly  Meeting 
held  in  Burlington  in  1681,  are  recorded  in  Burlington  Monthly 
Meeting  book. 

The  few  Friends  living  at  Upland  (now  Chester),  at  first 
belonged  to  Burlington  Monthly  Meeting,  which  appears  to 
have  been  sometimes  held  there.  This  explanation  will  remove 
the  apparent  anomaly  of  the  two  preceding  minutes. 

1710. — "  It  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting  (according  to  the 
epistle  that  was  sent  to  us  from  London),  that  in  all  stations 
and  conditions,  whilst  we  are  in  unity  with  the  body  of  Friends, 
we  be  very  careful  that  we  act,  nor  do  anything  contrary  to 
the  principle  or  discipline  of  Truth,  because  there  is  no  person 
that  is  a  member  that  is  exempted  from  the  censure  of  the 
Church. 

"  As  to  Friends  going  to  law  one  with  another,  it  is  the 
sense  of  this  meeting  that  such  things  may  not  be  admitted 
among  us,  but  that  as  one  party  is  ever  in  the  wrong,  that  they 
may  be  found  out  and  proper  advice  given  and  justice  demanded ; 
which,  if  neglected  or  refused,  let  such  be  testified  against,  as 
unworthy  of  our  communion,  and  that  without  too  much  delay ; 
that  where  the  law  of  God,  of  righteousness,  and  Truth  doth 
not  take  place  in  the  heart,  the  law  of  men  may  curb  and 
punish  the  wrong  and  injustice." 

"  Yet  nevertheless,  in  cases  of  executors,  attorneys,  factors, 


268 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


or  the  like,  when  both  parties  are  agreed,  but  cannot  effect  the 
right  anfl  just  part  without  a  judgment  of  hiw  in  some  temporal 
court,  which,  if  necessary,  must  be  had  for  the  legal  security  of 
one  or  both,  this  meeting  thought  fit  to  declare,  that  any 
Monthly  Meeting  may  judge  of  such  necessity,  and  as  they  see 
cause,  suffer  the  parties  to  have  legal  proceedings,  so  as  not  to 
reproach  the  Truth  by  contention  or  otherwise  ;  being  at  the 
request  of  thern  both,  and  no  other  way  to  obtain  their  right 
and  safety." 

"  But,  if  any  fall  short  in  his  temporal  affairs  by  some  unfore- 
seen and  unavoidable  accident  (not  having  intruded  into  things 
out  of  his  way,  as  aforesaid),  and  shall  offer  his  all  to  his  cred- 
itors, and  when  that  falls  short,  his  person  also,  at  their  disposal, 
let  such  have  compassion  among  you,  and  aid,  as  an  object  of 
Christian  charity,  and  help  him  as  a  brother :  he  hath  done 
what  he  can,  and  we  can  expect  no  further  from  him." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

1719. — In  cases  of  debtors  absconding,  bankrupts,  &c.,  the 
Monthly  Meetings  may  "  permit,  or  hold  excused,  such  as  shall 
appear  to  them  really  necessitated  to  proceed  otherwise."  And 
executors,  administrators,  &c.,  "  may  be  permitted  to  have  the 
matter  tried  at  law,  or  rather  first  determined  in  our  friendly 
way,  and  then  by  consent,  confirmed  by  a  judgment,  as  the 
meeting  may  see  occasion  upon  the  matter  to  advise  and  direct ; 
with  this  caution  and  care,  that  the  parties  on  both  sides  con- 
cerned therein,  do  still  appear  and  behave  towards  each  other 
in  brotherly  love.  And  in  the  setting  forth  or  management  of 
the  case,  or  asserting  what  they  apprehend  their  rights,  that  it 
be  done  with  decency  and  moderation,  without  letting  in  or 
showing  anger  or  animosity,  or  using  any  provoking  or  unbe- 
comino;  language.  For  as  a  bitter  or  indecent  behavior  will 
cause  the  Truth  of  our  holy  profession  to  be  evil  spoken  of,  so 
on  the  contrary,  a  Christian,  prudent,  and  meek  deportment 
will  bear  a  becoming  testimony  even  in  courts,  and  show  that 
nothing  but  the  nature  of  the  case  and  our  common  station 
with  our  neighbors  under  the  laws  of  the  nation,  bring  any  of 
us  there. 


LAAV. 


269 


"  And  as  it  is  our  duty  to  seek  peace  with  all  men,  and  to 
avoid  giving  provocation,  or  just  ofifence  to  any,  it  is  advised 
that  Friends  do  avoid  going  to  laAV  with  others  not  of  our  per- 
suasion, angrily  or  in  a  passion,  or  without  due  consideration, 
good  grounds,  and  having  first,  in  a  friendly  way,  shown  his 
opponent  the  justness  of  his  cause,  and  having  offered  (where 
he  safely  may),  if  the  other'  make  any  reasonable  objection, 
to  put  the  matter  to  a  neighborly  reference.  So  also  that 
Friends  give  no  just  occasion  to  such  to  go  to  law  with  them, 
but  carefully  to  comply  with  their  promises  and  contracts ; 
and,  where  they  have  any  reason  for  objecting  to  the  demand, 
that  they  show  a  willingness  and  readiness  to  agree  it  peace- 
ably between  themselves,  or  to  submit  to  a  reference." 

'*  It  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting,  according  to  the  advice  of 
the  holy  Apostle,  and  the  ancient,  comely,  and  Christian  prac- 
tice, that  at  no  time  brother  go  to  law  with  brother,  before  he 
be  disowned,  or  upon  apparent  and  urgent  necessity,  as  here- 
tofore limited  and  expressed,  shall  be  permitted  by  the 
Monthly  Meeting  so  to  do. 

"But,  if  any  professing  Truth  shall  arrest,  sue,  or  implead 
at  law  any  other  person  making  the  same  profession,  before 
he  hath  proceeded  in  the  method  herein  mentioned,  or  is  so 
permitted  by  the  meeting,  such  ought  to  be  dealt  with  as  other 
disorderly  persons,  and  give  satisfaction  to  the  meeting  by  con- 
demning his  or  her  so  doing.  And,  in  case  of  refusal,  after 
deliberate  dealing  and  waiting  with  such,  they  are  to  be  dis- 
owned by  the  meeting  whereto  he  or  she  doth  belong. 

"  And,  where  any  diflFerences  happen,  let  all  Friends  pro- 
ceed in  this  manner,  viz. :  the  party  who  finds  he  hath  reason 
of  complaint,  first,  himself  calmly  and  friendly  to  speak,  or,  if 
he  lives  at  a  distance,  write  to  the  party  by  whom  he  appre- 
hends himself  injured  or  to  be  in  danger  of  sufi"ering  in  his 
just  rights,  and  endeavor,  by  gentle  means,  in  a  brotherly  and 
loving  manner  to  obtain  his  rights.  But,  if  they  do  not  pre- 
vail, or  if  the  same  be  refused  or  neglected,  then  let  him  (or, 
if  they  live  at  a  distance  and  belong  to  difierent  meetings, 
some  Friend  whom  he  may  write  or  empower  on  his  behalf) 


270 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


take  one  or  two  with  him,  either  the  overseers  or  other  discreet, 
judicious  Friends,  and,  in  like  friendly  manner,  make  claim  or 
demand ;  which  Friends,  so  accompanying  the  complainant, 
are  to  use  their  endeavors  and  give  their  utmost  assistance  to 
have  the  matter  justly  and  expeditiously  ended,  either  hy  the 
parties  themselves  or  by  the  immediate  assistance  of  those 
Friends ;  who,  if  the  matter  appear  plain  and  easy,  or  to  be 
an  uncontested  debt,  or  that  it  be  a  bond  against  which  no 
reasonable  objection  is  made  by  the  debtor,  are  to  advise  the 
party  complained  of  to  make  satisfaction,  without  carrying 
the  matter  further,  either  by  arbitration  or  the  meeting.  But 
if  there  do  appear  in  the  matter  to  be  either  unsettled  dif- 
ference in  accounts,  or  reason  of  debate,  then,  if  they  cannot 
persuade  the  determination  thereof  by  the  parties  themselves, 
or  cannot  procure  the  same  by  their  advice  and  assistance, 
they  are  to  admonish  and  persuade  the  parties  to  choose 
referees  or  arbitrators,  and  they  engage  themselves  to  stand 
to  and  abide  by  the  determination  of  such  referees  or  arbi- 
trators, as  usual  in  such  cases. 

"  If  either  of  the  said  parties  refuse  such  advice,  or  endea- 
vors to  end  the  ditference,  he  or  she  so  refusing  may  be  com- 
plained of  to  the  respective  Monthly  Meeting ;  and  notice  is  to 
be  given  him  or  her  of  such  intention  of  complaint,  that  they 
may  attend  (as  they  ought  to  do)  the  meeting  at  the  time  ap- 
pointed. .  .  .  Then  the  meeting  (to  avoid  as  much  as  pos- 
sible the  contention  and  indecent  noise  which  some,  in  those 
cases,  are  apt  to  fall  into)  is  to  direct  the  hearing  and  determi- 
nation thereof  out  of  the  meeting.  And  in  order  thereunto, 
the  parties  may  nominate,  and  each  choose,  one  or  more 
Friends,  as  the  importance  of  the  matter  may  require  ;  and  the 
meeting  add  one  or  more  Friends  to  them,  as  they  see  occasion, 
for  the  determining  of  the  said  difference  by  majority. 

"  But  if  the  parties  refuse  or  decline  to  attend,  and  so  to 
nominate  or  choose,  then  the  meeting  is  to  nominate  and  ap- 
point a  sufficient  number  of  Friends  to  hear  and  determine  the 
same.  And  the  Friends  so  chosen,  either  by  the  parties  or  by 
the  meeting,  ought,  as  speedily  as  may  be,  to  agree  upon  and 


LAW. 


271 


appoint  time  and  place,  and  duly  attend  the  same  for  that  pur- 
pose, and  continue  the  same  by  adjournments  (as  short  as  they 
conveniently  can),  if  they  see  occasion  in  the  nature  of  the 
complaint,  or  for  evidence,  or  for  further  necessary  inquiry  so 
to  do,  using  all  caution  and  care  to  avoid  unnecessary  delays, 
and  to  make  the  determination  within  the  time  appointed,  so  as 
to  report,  if  possible,  to  the  successive  Monthly  Meeting. 

"  If  either  party  refuses  to  attend  the  arbitrators,  and  sub- 
mit their  case,  or  [to]  stand  to  and  abide  the  award,  judgment, 
or  determination  of  the  Friends  so  nominated,  chosen,  or  ap- 
pointed, such  person  must  be  dealt  with  as  one  disorderly,  and 
that  regards  not  peace  either  in  himself  or  in  the  Church,  and 
that  slights  the  love,  order,  and  unity  of  the  brethren.  And, 
after  due  admonition,  if  he  or  she  persists  therein,  let  such  be 
disowned  and  testified  against  by  the  meeting.  After  which, 
the  other  Friend  may  seek  his  remedy  against  him  or  her  (so 
disowned)  at  the  law. 

"But  if  any  do  find  themselves  aggrieved  by  such  judgment, 
determination,  or  award,  and  do  apply  to  the  respective  Monthly 
Meeting  for  a  rehearing,  before  the  said  judgment  or  determi- 
nation be  confirmed  by  the  said  meeting,  let  the  same  be 
allowed  ;  except  in  the  case  where  bonds  are  or  may  be  en- 
tered into  by  the  parties  to  abide  such  judgment,  in  which  case 
the  same  ought  to  be  final." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1734. — "  Leacock  Preparative  Meeting  acquainted  this  meet- 
ing tliat  there  is  some  diff"erence  between  J  S  and  his 

brother  J  .    They  both  now  appearing  here,  were  advised 

to  choose  arbitrators  to  refer  their  business  to,  which  they  did ; 
and  the  Friends  they  chose  were  Joseph  Sharp,  Simon  Iladley, 
William  Miller,  and  Benjamin  Fredd,  which  are  desired  to  give 
account  of  their  proceedings  to  our  next  meeting. 

"  They  are  bound  by  bonds  to  stand  by  the  award  of  the 
Friends. 

"  They  have  agreed,  and  given  each  of  them  a  copy  of  their 
award  under  their  hands  and  seals." — (New  Garden  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1785. — "  Whereas  0  J  ,  a  member  of  this  meeting, 


272 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


hath,  contrary  to  the  good  order  and  discipline  used  among  us 
for  the  reconciling  of  our  differing  members,  refused  the  leav- 
ing a  certain  controversy  between  him  and  the  executors  of 
Moses  IMendenhall,  deceased,  to  be  decided  by  arbitrators,  and 
also  refuseth  to  comply  with  the  judgment  of  those  Friends 
appointed  by  this  meeting  in  the  case,  notwithstanding  he  hath 
been  several  times  visited  in  order  to  prevail  with  him  to  com- 
ply with  the  advice  of  said  Friends,  but  those  labors  of  love 
not  any  way  prevailing  with  him  to  submit  to  our  rules ;  there- 
fore this  meeting  doth  hereby  declare  him,  the  said  0  

J  ,  to  be  no  member  of  our  religious  Society,  until  he,  from 

a  sense  of  his  error,  do  make  such  an  acknowledgment  as  may 
be  to  the  satisfaction  of  this  meeting." — (Concord  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1736. — "  The  Friends  appointed  to  treat  with  G  D  

report,  that  she  is  not  willing  to  choose  persons  to  hear  and 
determine  the  said  difference.  This  meeting  appoints  John 
Bezer,  William  Peters,  John  Newlin,  on  her  part ;  John  Chad- 
sey  chooses  Abraham  Darlington,  Edward  Brinton,  John  Town- 
send,  on  his  part." — (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1756. — "  Isaac  Williams  requests  that  this  meeting  grant 
him  liberty  to  seek  methods,  as  the  law  directs,  for  the  recovery 
of  some  small  debts,  that  he  has  due  to  him  from  sundry  per- 
sons who  are  not  Friends  ;  which  this  meeting  grants." — (Third- 
haven  Monthly  Meeting.) 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

GOVERNMENT. 

1701. — "  Dear  Friends  and  Brethren  :  We  recommend  to 
you  peace  and  concord,  as  the  great  fruits  of  charity,  without 
which  we  are  nothing ;  and  that  we  labor  to  approve  ourselves 
men  of  peace  and  makers  of  peace,  which  is  our  ornament,  duty, 


GOVERNMENT. 


273 


and  ensign,  as  the  disciples  of  Jesus.    If  any  be  otherwise,  the 
Church  of  Christ  have  no  such  custom,  nor  can  tliey  therein 
be  countenanced  or  suffered ;  but  so  it  is,  to  the  grief  of  our 
hearts  and  scandal  of  our  profession,  some  laying  claim  to  the 
same,  in  diverse  provinces  within  the  verge  of  this  meeting, 
having  been  too  factions  and  troublesome  in  the  government, 
under  which  they  ought  peaceably  to  live,  &c.  &c.    By  God's 
help,  we  have  now,  for  many  years,  approved  ourselves  peace- 
able subjects  to  them  whom  God,  in  his  providence,  hath  set 
over  us;  first,  to  the  King  as  supreme;  and  next,  to  those  in 
authority  under  him ;  being  subject,  not  for  wrath,  but  con- 
science (for  there  is  no  power  but  of  him),  rendering  unto  all 
their  dues,  tribute  to  whom  tribute,  custom  to  whom  custom, 
fear  to  whom  fear,  honor  to  whom  honor ;  but  when,  at  any 
time,  it  hath  pleased  God  to  suffer  the  rulers  that  hath  been 
placed  over  us  to  impose  anything  against  our  allegiance  .to 
God,  we  have  patiently  suffered  under  them,  till  the  Lord  hath 
been  pleased  to  open  their  understandings,  and  mollify  their 
hearts  towards  us  ;  and  this  we  also  recommend  to  be  continued 
among  us." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1710. — "As  to  matters  of  government,  we  advise  all  Friends 
concerned  therein,  whether  in  legislation  or  administration,  may 
be  very  careful  to  act  according  to  Truth,  and  the  testimony 
of  it,  in  all  things ;  and  not  think  to  excuse  contrary  practices 
by  any  temporal  station,  or  evade  the  due  censure  of  Truth  on 
pretence  of  any  conjunction  with  such  as  may  take  liberty  to 
act  such  things  as  consist  not  with  our  holy  communion,  pro- 
fession, and  Discipline  ;  for,  notwithstanding  any  such  station, 
where  any  offend,  the  judgment  of  Truth  must  go  out  against 
them." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1746, — "  Dear  Friends :  Under  an  humbling  sense  of  the 
great  favor  of  the  Almighty,  in  blessing  us,  in  these  provinces, 
with  the  continued  enjoyment  of  outward  peace  and  tranquillity, 
and  of  many  valuable  privileges,  we  earnestly  beseech  you  fre- 
quently to  commemorate  the  gracious  dealings  of  the  Lord  with 
us,  and  to  make  your  children,  and  those  under  your  care,  ac- 
quainted therewith,  that  they  may  be  incited  to  a  reliance  on 

18 


274 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


that  ancient  Arm  of  Power  wliich  hath  protected  and  preserved 
the  righteous  through  all  generations,  and  will  still  be  mani- 
fested to  those  whose  only  dependence  is  thereon." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

1758. — "As  the  maintaining  inviolate  the  liberty  of  con- 
science, which  is  essential  to  our  union  and  well-being  as  a  reli- 
gious society,  evidently  appears  to  be  an  indispensable  duty, 
this  meeting  doth,  with  fervent  and  sincere  desires  for  the  pre- 
sent and  future  prosperity  of  Truth  among  us,  and  for  the 
preservation  of  individuals  on  the  true  foundation  of  Christian 
fellowship  and  communion,  caution,  advise,  and  exhort  Friends 
to  beware  of  accepting  of,  or  continuing  in  office,  or  station  in 
civil  society  or  government,  by  which  they  may  be  in  any  re- 
spect engaged  in,  or  think  themselves  subjected  to,  the  neces- 
sity of  enjoining  or  enforcing  the  compliance  of  their  brethren 
or-  others  with  any  act  which  they  conscientiously  scruple  to 
perform  ;  and  if  any  professing  with  us  should,  after  the  loving 
advice  and  admonition  of  the  brethren,  persist  in  a  conduct  so 
repugnant  to  that  sincerity,  uprightness,  and  self-denial,  incum- 
bent on  us,  it  is  the  sense  and  judgment  of  this  meeting,  that 
such  persons  should  not  be  allowed  to  sit  in  our  Meetings  for 
Discipline,  nor  be  employed  in  the  affairs  of  Truth,  until  they 
are  brought  to  a  sense  and  acknowledgment  of  their  error." — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 

1763.  — "  It  remains  to  be  the  sense  of  this  meeting,  that, 
under  the  present  circumstances  of  the  Church,  there  is  an 
undoubted  necessity  for  such  a  Christian  labor  as  is  recom- 
mended by  the  minute  of  this  meeting  in  the  year  1758,  in 
order  to  remove  the  painful  occasion  of  uneasiness,  which  still 
continues  to  subsist  in  divers  places,  through  the  execution  of 
some  offices  in  civil  government  by  some  of  our  brethren  in 
profession,  whereby  they  are  subjected  to  the  necessity  of 
exposing  others  to  suffering  on  the  account  of  the  free  exercise 
of  their  consciences." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1764.  — "  It  is  earnestly  and  affectionately  recommended  to 
the  Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meetings,  and  to  Friends  indi- 
vidually, to  bear  in  mind  the  spirituality  of  our  profession: 


GOVERNMENT. 


275 


that,  by  living  near  tlie  Divine  principle  of  Truth,  our  testi- 
mony thereto  may  be  preferred  to  every  temporal  considera- 
tion, and  the  benefits  and  honors  of  the  world  neither  sought 
after  nor  too  readily  accepted  of  by  any  of  us ;  and  as  the 
execution  of  offices  of  trust,  and  the  acting  in  stations  in  civil 
government  hath  been  for  some  time  past,  and  continues  to 
be,  attended  with  great  difficulties  under  the  present  circum- 
stances of  public  affairs.  Friends,  in  their  Quarterly  and 
Monthly  Meetings,  are  desired  to  excite  each  other  to  care 
and  circumspection,  and  timely  to  caution  their  members 
against  accepting  of  offices  in  the  legislative  or  executive  parts 
of  government." 

"  The  former  advices  of  this  meeting,  in  the  year  1710,  on 
this  subject,  are  particularly  recommended  to  the  observation 
of  Friends,  with  this  further  admonition  :  that  they  be  not 
accessory  in  promoting  or  electing  any  of  our  brethren  to  such 
offices,  which  may  immediately  lead  them  into  the  danger  of 
deviating  from  the  essential  care,  incumbent  on  all,  of  main- 
taining true  Gospel  unity  and  fellowship  in  the  Church,  and 
with  each  other  ;  and  that  the  same  be  manifested  in  the  whole 
tenor  of  our  conduct  and  conversation." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1770. — "  This  meeting  finds  a  further  engagement,  earnestly 
and  affectionately  to  desire  that  Friends  in  all  places  may  be 
particularly  careful  to  live  near  the  Divine  principle ;  which, 
if  faithfully  attended  to,  will  preserve  us  in  a  conduct  be- 
coming our  holy  profession,  and  teach  us  to  avoid  mixing  with 
those  who  are  not  convinced  of  our  religious  principles  in  their 
human  policy  and  contrivance,  and  to  seek  after  quietude  and 
stillness  of  mind:  in  order  that,  under  the  direction  of  true 
wisdom,  we  may  be  enabled  to  administer  advice  to  any  of  our 
brethren  who  may  be  inadvertently  drawn  aside  to  join  with 
or  countenance,  by  conversation  or  otherwise,  the  commotions 
prevailing.  Thus  we  may  demonstrate  to  the  world  our 
regard  to  our  Christian  testimony  and  profession,  and  give 
no  just  cause  to  any  to  accuse  us  of  deviating  from  the  prin- 
ciples and  conduct  of  our  Avorthy  predecessors,  who,  in  times 
of  the  greatest  difficulties,  manifested  union  among  themselves ; 


276 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


and  that  they  steadily  preferred  the  cause  and  reputation  of 
Truth  to  every  other  consideration." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

Whatsoever  we  do  by  another,  v,  q  do  ourselves.  The  moral 
responsibility  is  the  same.  Hence,  the  conclusion  is  obvious, 
that  we  cannot  consistently  give  our  suffrage  to  others  to  fill 
any  office,  the  duties  of  which  we  could  not  conscientiously 
discharge. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

APPEALS. 

1711. — "  Where  arbitrators  have  been  chosen  by  the  parties 
differing,  and  bonds  entered,  if  the  arbitrators  do  not  agree, 
and  the  Monthly  Meeting  gives  judgment  in  the  case,  the 
person  so  aggrieved  may  have  liberty  to  appeal." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

1719. — "  If  any  persons  are  dissatisfied  with  or  think  them- 
selves aggrieved  by  the  testimony  or  judgment  entered  against 
them  in  a  Monthly  Meeting,  they  may  have  liberty  at  the 
same,  or  the  next,  or  the  third  Monthly  Meeting,  but  not 
after,  to  notify  their  intentions  of  making  application  to  have 
the  cause  heard  at  the  next  Quarterly  Meeting.  Which  noti- 
fication the  said  Monthly  Meeting  should  enter  on  their 
minutes,  and  appoint  four  or  more  Friends  (not  excluding 
others)  to  take  a  copy  of  the  meeting's  records,  signed  by  the 
clerk  in  the  case,  and  therewith  attend  the  said  Quarterly 
Meeting ;  and  there,  on  the  Monthly  Meeting's  behalf,  show 
the  reasons  for  what  is  done  as  occasion  may  require,  sub- 
mitting the  same  to  the  said  Quarterly  Meeting. 

"  And  then  the  said  Quarterly  Meeting  is  to  hear,  consider, 
and  determine  or  confirm  the  same,  as  they,  in  the  wisdom 
which  God  shall  afford  them,  see  most  just,  necessary,  and 
convenient. 


APPEALS. 


277 


"  And,  if  the  parties  should  be  dissatisfied  with  the  judg- 
ment or  determination  of  the  said  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  do 
notify,  at  the  same  or  next  Quarterly  Meeting,  but  not  after, 
their  intention  of  making  application  for  a  hearing  at  the 
next  Yearly  Meeting,  then  that  the  Quarterly  Meeting  do  in 
like  manner  make  entry  thereof;  appoint  four  or  six  Friends 
to  attend  the  Yearly  Meeting  with  the  records  of  both  the 
Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meetings,  signed  as  aforesaid,  and  to 
speak  to  the  matter  there  ;  where  the  same  is  to  be  finally 
determined," — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  rule  here  stated  was  originally  designed  for  cases  of 
difference  about  worldly  matters,  where  Monthly  Meetings  had 
given  judgment ;  but  it  has,  by  common  consent,  been  applied 
to  other  cases, — such  as  the  disowning  of  members,  where  a 
party  has  felt  aggrieved  by  the  judgment  of  a  Monthly  Meet- 
ing. In  a  case  of  individual  difference,  the  meeting  is  not  a 
party ;  but  in  case  of  disowning  an  offender,  the  Monthly 
Meeting  becomes  a  direct  party  in  the  issue ;  and  is  equally 
liable  to  be  aggrieved  by  the  judgment  of  the  Quarterly  or 
Yearly  Meeting,  in  case  of  appeal,  as  the  appellant.  Such 
meetings  ought  therefore  to  sit  on  the  case  as  a  court  of  chan- 
cery, and  to  render  a  just  judgment  between  the  parties,  as  in 
the  other  case.  This  is  believed  to  have  been  the  intention  of 
the  Society  when  the  rule  was  adopted,  and  the  early  practice 
of  meetings  under  it.  But  many  Friends,  perhaps  many 
meetings,  now  take  a  difi"erent  view,  as  though  no  one  was 
interested  or  could  be  aggrieved  but  the  appellant ;  however 
gross  the  offence  or  direct  the  proof,  they  are  not  willing  to 
take  it  into  the  account.  They  look  entirely  to  the  proceed- 
ings ;  if  there  is  anything  found  in  them  that  is  informal, 
either  by  omission  or  commission,  from  inadvertence  or  igno- 
rance, it  is  sufficient  to  reinstate  the  appellant,  and  return  him 
to  800101/,  sometimes  to  the  injury  both  of  the  meeting  and 
the  individual. 

Now,  in  such  a  case,  the  Monthly  Meeting  become  the  ag- 
grieved party ;  and  what  is  the  remedy  ?    Why,  as  it  was 


278 


RETROSPECT  OP  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


manifestly  the  duty  of  the  meeting  to  hear  the  parties  im- 
partially, and  to  render  a  just  judgment  between  them,  and, 
having  failed  to  do  this,  there  can  be  no  good  reason  shown  why 
the  suffering  party  (though  it  be  a  Monthly  Meeting)  may  not 
carry  an  appeal  to  a  superior  meeting  under  the  rule.  The 
right  has  been  denied,  but  has  never  been  disproved  ;  it  has 
been  asserted  and  has  been  exercised,  as  the  following  case 
will  show  : — 

A  P  having  been  disowned  by  Middletown  Monthly 

Meeting,  appealed  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Bucks,  and  was 
reinstated  on  a  report  in  her  favor,  signed  by  seven  out  of  a 
committee  of  twelve  Friends. 

1758,  fourth  month. — "  Friends  having  more  fully  considered 
the  consequence  of  the  judgment  of  our  last  Quarterly  Meeting, 

in  regard  to  A  P  's  appeal,  do  unanimously  agree  to 

appeal  therefrom,  to  the  next  Yearly  Meeting,  and  orders  that 
the  Quarterly  Meeting  be  notified  thereof." — (Middletown 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1758,  fifth  month. — The  Quarterly  Meeting  minuted  the 
case,  and  "recommended  to  Friends  of  that  Monthly  Meeting 
to  consider  further,  whether  some  other  expedient  may  not  be 
fallen  on  to  their  satisfaction,  and  report  their  determination  to 
our  next  Quarterly  Meeting." — (Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

1758,  sixth  month. — "  This  meeting,  having  maturely  con- 
sidered the  reason  and  justice  of  our  appeal  to  the  Yearly 

Meeting  in  A          P  's  case,  as  proposed  to  the  last 

Quarterly  Meeting,  do  unanimously  agree  to  prosecute  the 
said  appeal,  of  which  the  Quarterly  Meeting  is  to  be  acquainted 
on  our  part." — (Middletown  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1758,  eighth  month. — The  Quarterly  Meeting  being  so  in- 
formed, appointed  a  committee  "  to  attend  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
with  copies  of  the  minutes  of  this  meeting,  and  also  all  papers 
in  the  hands  of  the  clerk  that  relate  to  the  same." — (Bucks 
Quarterly  Meeting.) 

1758,  eleventh  month. — The  Yearly  Meeting  returned  the 
case  to  the  Quarter  by  a  committee  to  assist  in  the  settlement 


APPEALS. 


279 


tliercof,  and  "  in  order  to  the  amicable  accommodation  of  tlio 
affair,"  the  quarter  nominated  a  committee,  which  Avas  "desired 
to  meet  at  such  time  and  place  as  may  be  agreeable  to  the 
committee  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  join  them  for  the  good 
purpose  for  which  they  Were  appointed." — (Bucks  Quarterly 
Meeting.) 

1759,  second  month. — "  The  committee  appointed  by  the 
Yearly  Meeting  to  assist  the  Quarterly  Meeting  in  the  affair, 
jointly  report,  that  they  have  conferred  on  the  subject  of  their 
appointment,  and  have  agreed  on  a  testimony  which  they  think 
may  be  safe  and  proper  for  Middletown  Monthly  Meeting  to 
issue  against  her  ;  which  was  annexed  to  the  report  and  read  in 
this  meeting,  and  approved.  Whereupon,  Middletown  Monthly 
Meeting  is  desired  to  deliver  her  a  copy." — (Bucks  Quarterly 
Meeting.) 

1759,  third  month. — "  The  representatives  to  our  last  Quar- 
terly Meeting  produced  from  thence  the  reports  of  the  com- 
mittees of  the  Yearly  and  Quarterly  Meetings,  in  the  case 

relating  to  A          P  ,  wherein  they  unanimously  agree 

that  this  meeting  had  acted  agreeably  to  justice  and  the  rules 

of  our  Discipline,  in  testifying  against  the  said  A  ;  but  as 

some  expressions  in  our  said  testimony  did  not  sit  easy  on  some 
of  their  minds,  they  unanimously  agreed  on  another  form, 
which  they  having  subjoined,  recommended  it  to  us  to  publish 
against  her,  in  lieu  of  that  which  we  had  prepared. 

"  All  M'hich,  the  said  Quarterly  Meeting  approving,  have 
desired  us  to  furnish  her  with  a  copy  of  the  said  last  testimony. 
Wherefore,  John  Gregg  is  appointed  to  give  her  a  copy  thereof 
accordingly." — (Middletown  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1759,  fifth  month. — "Middletown  Monthly  Meeting  reports, 
that  a  copy  of  the  testimony,  as  approved  of  by  the  last  meet- 
ing, hath  been  delivered  to  A  P  ,  and  that  she  was 

acquainted  with  her  right  to  appeal." — (Bucks  Quarterly 
Meeting.) 

The  course  pursued  for  the  harmonious  settlement  of  this 
perplexing  case  is  suggestive  of  instruction.    It  shows  that 


280 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


Monthly  Meetings  as  •well  as  individual  members  have  their 
rights ;  that  they  may  be  aggrieved,  and  that  they  are  entitled 
to  redress. 

Perhaps  few  cases  of  an  appeal  from  the  judgment  of  a 
Monthly  Meeting  occur,  wherein  it  would  not  be  of  advantage 
for  the  Quarterly  Meeting  to  return  the  case  to  the  meeting 
from  whence  it  came,  with  a  solid  committee  to  advise  and  assist 
in  a  renewed  consideration  of  the  subject.  By  such  a  pro- 
cedure, the  Monthly  Meeting  and  the  appellant  would  both 
have  an  opportunity  afforded  them  to  correct  any  erroneous 
step,  or  to  make  any  concession  which  their  conduct  might 
require ;  and  the  parties  would  be  left  with  a  better  feeling 
towards  each  other,  than  would  likely  exist  where  a  superior 
meeting  had  made  an  arbitrary  decision  of  the  case.  It  would 
not  often  happen  that  such  a  decision  would  be  necessary, 
unless  one  of  the  parties  were  wilfully  perverse,  or  where  some 
abstruse  and  perplexing  question  was  involved. 

An  appeal  is  in  some  degree  of  the  nature  of  a  suit  at  law, 
and,  unless  conducted  with  extreme  caution,  produces  the  same 
baneful  results.  Where  they  do  not  spring  from,  they  are  too 
apt  to  create  parties,  and  to  produce  feelings  subversive  of  the 
very  purpose  for  which  religious  society  was  instituted.  A 
compulsory  settlement  will  seldom  restore  harmony  between 
the  parties,  or  afford  the  satisfaction  which  might  be  antici- 
pated. It  is  exulted  in  as  a  victory  by  the  one,  and  felt  to  be 
a  humiliating  defeat  by  the  other ;  feelings  which  can  be  pro- 
ductive of  no  good.  The  whole  subject  is  deserving  of  at- 
tention. 


AFFIRMATIONS  AND  OATHS. 


281 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

AFFIRMATIONS  AND  OATHS. 

1682. — "  That  all  witnesses  coming,  or  called  to  testify  their 
knowledge  in,  or  to  any  matter  or  thing,  before  any  court,  or 
before  any  lawful  authority,  Avithin  the  said  province,  shall  there 
give  or  deliver  in  their  evidence  or  testimony,  by  solemnly  pro- 
mising to  speak  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the 
truth,  to  the  matter  or  thing  in  question." — (Penn's  Laws.) 

1G96. — "Whereas  divers  dissenters,  commonly  called  Quakers, 
refusing  to  take  an  oath  in  courts  of  justice  and  other  places, 
are  frequently  imprisoned  and  their  estates  sequestered,  by 
processes  of  contempt  issuing  out  of  said  courts,  to  the  ruin 
of  themselves  and  families;  for  remedy  thereof,  be  it  enacted, 
&c.,  that  every  Quaker  who  shall  be  required,  upon  any  lawful 
occasion,  to  take  an  oath  in  any  case,  where  by  law  an  oath  is 
required,  shall,  instead  of  the  usual  form,  be  permitted  to  make 
his  or  her  solemn  aiBrmation  or  declaration,  in  these  words  fol- 
lowing, viz. : — 

"  I,  A  B  ,  do  declare,  in  the  presence  of  Almighty 

God,  the  witness  of  the  truth  of  what  I  say. 

"  Provided  that  no  Quaker,  or  reputed  Quaker,  shall,  by 
virtue  of  this  act,  be  qualified,  or  permitted  to  give  evidence  in 
any  criminal  causes,  or  serve  on  any  juries,  or  bear  any  ofHce 
or  place  of  profit  in  the  government,"  &c.  &c. — (English  Law.) 

In  1705,  Queen  Anne  in  council  annulled  the  colonial  law 
of  afiirmations,  whereby  Friends  on  this  side  the  Atlantic  ap- 
pear to  have  been  subjected  to  the  Act  of  Parliament  just 
quoted,  which  was  rather  a  modified  oath  than  an  aiBrmation, 
and  unsatisfactory  to  many  Friends,  "  by  reason  of  the  sacred 
name  being  comprised  therein,  Avhich  they,  considering  as  an 
appeal  to  the  Divine  Being,  thought  it  bordered  too  near  upon 
an  oath,  and  were  not  free  to  use  it.    Others,  less  scrupulous, 


282 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


gratefully  accepted  the  favor,  conceiving  it  only  in  the  light  of 
a  very  solemn  affirmation." — (Gough,  III,  4G2.)  Hence  the 
following  advices  were  issued  : — 

1710. — "  The  solemn  affirmation  is  a  thing  of  the  greatest 
moment.  We  exhort  all  to  be  very  careful  about  it,  and  renew 
unto  you  the  sum  of  the  advices  of  th.e  Yearly  Meeting  of 
London  therein ;  that  Friends  be  charitable  one  to  another 
about  it ;  they  that  can  take  it  not  to  censure  or  reproach  those 
who  cannot ;  and  those  who  cannot,  to  use  the  like  caution  and 
regard  to  those  who  can,  till  further  relief  can  be  had  for  us 
all." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1718. — "  It  is  recommended  to  Quarterly  and  Monthly 
Meetings  that  caution  be  given  to  all  Friends,  as  well  those  in 
the  magistracy  as  others,  to  be  very  careful  that  they  stand 
clear  in  all  cases,  as  well  against  administering  as  taking  oaths." 
— (Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  Colonial  Assembly  "  made  divers  attempts  from  time  to 
time  for  reviving  the  aforesaid  privilege,  but  without  success, 
till  the  year  1725,  when  an  act  prescribing  the  forms  of  fidelity, 
abjuration,  and  affirmation,  instead  of  the  forms  before  re- 
quired, having  been  passed  in  the  province,  was  ratified  by  the 
King  in  council,  and  thereby  became  perpetual." — (Proud.  II, 
191.) 

In  an  epistle  of  caution  to  Friends  against  the  abuse  of  the 
favor  thus  granted,  the  London  Yearly  Meeting  remarks : — 

1725. — "  Beside  the  inward  eno-agement  of  this  Divine  law 
('  the  law  of  the  spirit  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus'),  to  speak  and  act 
according  to  Truth,  there  is  at  this  time  also  an  outward  engage- 
ment, which  the  government  hath  laid  upon  us,  not  only  by  the 
favor  of  this  act,  but  also  by  the  manner  wherein  they  have 
conferred  it ;  for  in  the  preamble  it  is  said,  '  It  is  evident  that 
the  said  people  called  Quakers  have  not  abused  the  liberty  or 
indulgence  allowed  to  them  by  law ;'  which  testimony  of  the 
legislature  concerning  our  use  of  the  late  solemn  affirmation, 


AFFIRMATIONS  AND  OATHS. 


283 


upon  twenty-five  years'  experience,  ought  at  least  to  stir  up  all 
Friends  to  great  watchfulness  and  care  in  the  use  of  this  fur- 
ther ease  and  relief,  that  this  testimony  may  be  continued,  and 
thereby  confirm  the  government  in  their  favorable  sentiments 
concerning  us." 

Considerable  efi'orts  and  expenditures  were  required  to  gain 
the  royal  sanction  to  this  reasonable  measure,  as  shown  by  the 
following  minutes  : — 

1726. — "Ordered  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  'That  every 
Monthly  Meeting  should  make  a  subscription  towards  the 
charge  of  gaining  the  royal  assent  to  the  Affirmation  Act,  as 
others  have  done.'  " — (Buckingham  Monthly  Meeting.) 

172G. — "  The  Governor  and  General  Assembly  of  the  Pro- 
vince having  passed  a  law  for  the  ease  of  Friends,  relating  to 
a  solemn  affirmation,  the  getting  of  which  to  be  confirmed  hath 
cost  some  Friends  considerably,  it  is  therefore  requested  by 
this  meeting  that  a  free  contribution  be  made  by  each  Particu- 
lar Meeting  for  the  defraying  that  charge,  and  bring  it  to  next 
meeting." — (Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  ratification  of  the  law  of  affirmations  did  not  take  place 
in  the  Province  of  New  Jersey  till  the  year  1782. — (See  Proud, 
II,  192.) 

Difficulties  commenced  very  early  in  regard  to  the  taking 
and  administering  of  oaths.  In  the  beginning,  the  govern- 
ments of  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania  were  principally  admi- 
nistered by  Friends ;  of  a  class,  too,  who  felt  concerned  to 
maintain  their  Christian  testimony  against  oaths  inviolate. 
But  soon  others  began  to  come  into  authority ;  some  who  still 
made  professions  of  the  Truth,  but  did  not  practice  it ;  and 
others,  who  made  no  profession  with  Friends,  were  in  favor  of 
oaths.  The  unsettled  state  of  the  laws  in  relation  to  affirma- 
tions must  also  have  greatly  embarrassed  Friends,  and  in- 
creased their  difficulties  in  this  respect. 


284 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


1732.  — "  The  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Chester  requests  to 
know  the  mind  of  this  meeting,  'Whether  justices,  being 
Friends,  and  sitting  on  the  Bench  when  oaths  are  administered, 
are  clear  of  administering  the  same,  although  there  may  be 
other  justices  on  the  Bench  who  make  no  scruples  of  conscience 
to  take  or  administer  oaths  ?  And  also  how  far  a  clerk,  being 
under  the  notice  of  Friends,  and  acting  therein,  is  clear  ?'  " — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 

This  was  obviously  a  close  question,  and  as  such  was  referred 
by  a  committee  to  the  next  Yearly  Meeting.  They  reported : — 

1733.  — "  That  they  have  unanimously  agreed,  that  oaths 
administered  by  clerks  or  others,  under  the  notice  of  Friends, 
either  in  courts  or  elsewhere,  is  a  violation  of  our  ancient  testi- 
mony, and  that  such  persons  ought  to  be  dealt  with  as  offenders; 
nor  did  it  appear  to  them  that  such  justices,  who  are  Friends, 
sitting  on  the  Bench  when  oaths  are  administered,  are  clear  in 
respect  to  administering  the  same,  unless  there  be  a  number  of 
other  justices,  not  of  our  Society,  also  sitting  on  the  Bench, 
sufficient  to  authorize  the  doing  thereof,  without  the  concur- 
rence of  those  who  are  Friends ;  that  they  were  very  sensible 
of  the  weight  and  importance  of  this  part  of  the  matter  referred 
to  them,  and  how  nearly  we,  as  a  society  of  people,  may  be 
affected  by  it,  not  only  in  a  religious,  but  civil  capacity;  and 
therefore,  that  they  wished  some  expedient  may  be  found  out, 
by  act  of  Assembly,  or  otherwise,  to  remove  this  difficulty ;  but, 
if  that  cannot  be,  they  think  the  preservation  of  our  ancient 
testimony  inviolate  ought  to  take  place  of  all  other  considera- 
tions."— (Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  Yearly  Meeting  recommended  the  subject  to  "  the  care 
of  such  Friends  who  have  any  share  in  legislation,  or  interest 
with  the  legislators,  to  endeavor  to  remove  this  difficulty,  by  an 
act  of  Assembly  for  that  purpose." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1738. — "Nothing  having  been  as  yet  done,  i.  e.  by  act 
of  Assembly,  relating  to  the  affair  of  oaths,  administered  in 
courts  and  elsewhere,  by  some  professing  with  us,  it  is  again 


AFFIRMATIONS  AND  OATHS. 


285 


recommended  to  the  care  of  Friends,  pursuant  to  former 
minutes ;  and,  in  the  meantime,  Friends  of  the  several  Quar- 
terly and  Monthly  Meetings  are  advised  to  be  careful,  Avithin 
the  verge  of  tlieir  respective  meetings,  to  deal  with  such  per- 
sons as  shall  offend  therein." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1701. — "At  Chester  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  at  Concord, 
the  9th  of  second  month,  1761,  in  answer  to  the  application 
from  Chester  Monthly  Meeting: — this  meeting  is  desirous  that 
all  Friends  do  avoid  accepting  any  ofEce  in  civil  government, 
so  as  to  subject  them  to  the  necessity  of  balking  that  testimony 
which  the  Lord  called  our  predecessors  in  profession  to  bear  to 
the  world  relative  to  oaths  and  swearing ;  and  which  testimony 
they  nobly  maintained,  at  the  utmost  expense,  even  to  blood 
and  treasure.  That  any  under  our  name  should,  now-a-days, 
so  far  deviate  from  the  footsteps  of  the  faithful,  as  to  be  in  the 
practice  of  directly  administering  oaths,  or  subscribing,  without 
exception,  '  sworn  before  me,  or  us,'  to  any  instrument  of 
writing,  is  just  matter  of  concern  to  this  meeting,  which  de- 
clares it  to  be  their  judgment,  that  such  conduct  is  subject  to 
censure. 

"  Copy  of  the  minute. 

"Aaron  Ashbridge, 

''Qlerk." 
(Darby  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1762. — "  Recommended,  that  the  care  of  Friends,  where 
occasion  requires  it,  may  be  exerted  to  labor  in  Christian  love, 
to  convince  such  of  their  error  who  are  deficient  in  respect  to 
our  testimony  against  oaths ;  and,  when  these  endeavors  prove 
unsuccessful,  that  Friends  proceed  according  to  our  Discipline; 
and,  it  is  likewise  further  desired,  that  all  Friends  may  be  par- 
ticularly careful  that  they  be  not  accessory  in  promoting  or 
choosing  their  brethren  in  such  offices  which  may  subject  them 
to  the  temptation  of  deviating  from  our  Christian  testimony  in 
this  or  any  other  branch  thereof.'.' — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1762. — "J  T  so  far  condemns  his  having  adminis- 
tered an  oath,  as  to  declare  himself  determined  not  to  accept 
of  any  office  for  the  future  Avhich  may  subject  him  to  the  neces- 


286 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


sity  of  doing  it,  and  that  lie  now  sees  the  practice  inconsistent, 
both  Avith  the  rules  of  Society  and  the  convictions  of  his  own 
mind." — (iMiddletown  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1771. — "The  remissness,  in  respect  to  our  testimony  against 
oaths,  being  particularly  considered,  the  Quarterly  and  Monthly 
Meetings  are  again  earnestly  desired  seriously  to  attend  to  the 
support  of  this  part  of  our  Christian  testimony.  Many  Friends 
at  this  time,  being  seriously  affected  to  observe,  by  the  accounts 
now  sent,  that  there  are  members  remaining  in  some  places, 
who,  preferring  the  temporary  honors  and  profits  of  this  uncer- 
tain life,  are  led  into  a  disregard  of  the  solemn  injunction  of 
our  blessed  Lord,  and  the  doctrine  of  His  Apostles,  against 
swearing,  which,  we  have  grounds  to  believe,  was  the  testimony 
and  practice  of  believers  in  ancient  times  carefully  to  observe, 
and  which  our  worthy  predecessors  in  the  Truth  were  zealously 
concerned  to  promote  and  maintain  through  much  reviling,  per- 
secution, and  suffering  ;  and,  we  are  convinced,  it  remains  to 
be  our  duty  to  support  this  part  of  our  Christian  testimony. 
Faithful  Friends,  in  their  several  meetings,  are  affectionately 
excited  to  unite  in  extending  their  brotherly  labor  and  endea- 
vors towards  those  who  are  the  occasion  of  this  exercise,  in 
order  to  convince  them  of  their  deviation  ;  and,  if  any  continue 
in  the  practice  of  taking  or  administering  oaths,  after  being 
thus  lovingly  treated  with.  Quarterly  Meetings  are  requested 
and  enjoined  to  give  their  seasonable  assistance  in  further  en- 
deavors for  the  restoration  of  such  members  ;  and,  if  this  addi- 
tional labor  proves  unsuccessful,  it  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting, 
that  the  rules  of  our  Discipline,  already  established,  should  be 
enforced  against,  them,  as  persons  regardless  of  the  unity  of 
their  brethren  and  our  ancient  testimony. 

"  And  in  order  to  prevent,  as  much  as  possible,  such  occa- 
sions of  weakness,  and  that  we  may  be  qualified  uniformly  to 
support  this  part  of  our  Christian  testimony,  we  find  it  neces- 
sary again  to  exhort  Friends,  in  all  places,  carefully  to  avoid 
electing  or  promoting  their  brethren  to  such  stations  in  civil 
government  which  may  subject  them  to  the  temptation  of 
violating  it;  and  where  any  members  show  an  inclination  or 


ALLEGIANCE  AND  ABJURATION. 


287 


desire  of  soliciting  or  accepting  of  such  offices,  faithful  Friends 
should  take  timely  care  to  discourage  and  caution  them  against 
it." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 


CHAPTER  XXIA^ 

ALLEGIANCE  AND  ABJURATION. 

The  Revolutionary  War  gave  occasion  for  the  enactment  of 
laws  imposing  a  "test"  oath  or  affirmation,  abjuring  the  King, 
and  declaring  allegiance  to  the  American  cause,  and  enforced 
by  penalties,  and,  in  some  cases,  by  disabilities. 

1778. — "  On  consideration  of  what  is  necessary  to  be  pro- 
posed to  Friends  on  the  subject  of  declaration  of  allegiance 
and  abjuration,  required  by  some  late  laws  by  the  Legislatures 
who  now  preside  in  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  we  are 
united  in  judgment,  that,  consistent  with  our  religious  prin- 
ciples, we  cannot  comply  with  the  requisitions  of  those  laws, 
as  we  cannot  be  instrumental  in  setting  up  or  pulling  down 
any  government ;  but  it  becomes  us  to  show  forth  a  peaceable 
and  meek  behavior  to  all  men,  seeking  their  good,  and  to  live 
a  sober,  useful,  and  religious  life,  without  joining  ourselves 
^  with  any  party  in  war,  or  with  the  spirit  of  strife  and  conten- 
tion now  prevailing.  And  we  believe  that  if  our  conduct  is 
thus  uniform  and  steady,  and  our  hope  fixed  on  the  Omnipotent 
Arm  for  relief.  He  will,  in  time,  amply  reward  us  with  lasting 
peace  ;  which  hath  been  the  experience  of  our  Friends  in  time 
past,  and,  we  hope,  of  some  now  under  suffering." 

"And  as,  in  some  places,  fines  and  taxes  are  and  have  been 
imposed  on  those  who,  from  conscientious  scruples,  refuse  or 
decline  making  such  declarations,  it  is  the  united  sense  and 
judgment  of  this  meeting,  that  no  Friend  should  pay  any  such 
fine  or  tax." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 


288 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


By  the  test-law,  a  fine  was  imposed  upon  any  person  who 
should  teach  a  school,  without  having  subscribed  thereto.  In 
a  remonstrance  from  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  they  thus 
speak  : — 

1779. — "  Our  predecessors,  on  their  early  settlement  in  this 
part  of  America,  being  piously  concerned  for  the  prosperity  of 
the  colony  and  the  real  welfare  of  tlieir  posterity,  among  other 
salutary  institutions,  promoted  at  their  own  expense  the  esta- 
blishment of  schools  for  the  instruction  of  their  youth  in 
useful  and  necessary  learning,  and  for  their  education  in  piety 
and  virtue,  the  practice  of  which  forms  the  most  sure  basis  for 
perpetuating  the  enjoyment  of  Christian  liberty  and  essential 
happiness.  By  the  voluntary  contributions  of  the  members  of 
our  religious  Society,  schools  were  set  up,  in  which  their  children 
were  taught;  and  careful  attention  has  been  given  to  the  instruc- 
tion of  the  children  of  the  poor,  not  of  our  Society  only,  but  our 
liberality  hath  been  extended  to  the  poor  children  of  other  re- 
ligious denominations  generally,  great  numbers  of  whom  have 
partaken  thereof;  and  these  schools  have  been  in  like  manner 
continued  and  maintained  for  a  long  course  of  years." 

The  following  narratives  of  suffei'ings  are  taken  from  the 
Minutes  of  Conference,  mentioned  under  Sufferings,  but  seem 
properly  to  belong  here.  Many  examples  might  be  cited.  The 
laws  were  very  severe;  but  it  is  obvious  that  the  officials  often 
used  them  for  the  purpose  merely  of  extorting  money.  Failing 
to  do  this,  they  would  let  their  victims  go. 

1778. — "  Lancaster  Count}'',  ss. 

"  Whereas,  John  HoUingsworth,  Thomas  Buckman,  and 
Charles  Dingee  are  now  confined  in  the  jail  of  the  county 
aforesaid,  for  not  taking  or  subscribing  an  oath  or  affirmation 
of  allegiance,  by  several  Acts  of  Assembly  of  this  Common- 
wealth heretofore  required,  under  pain  of  imprisonment ;  and 
whereas,  the  said  laws  are,  by  an  Act  of  General  Assembly 
of  this  Commonwealth,  dated  the  5th  day  of  December,  1778, 


ALLEGIANCE  AND  ABJURATION. 


289 


repealed,  so  far  as  respects  their  persons;  these  are,  therefore, 
to  require  you  forthwith  to  discharge  the  said  Jc'.iu  Ilollings- 
"worth,  Thomas  Ruckman,  and  Charles  Dingee  out  of  your 
custody; — their  paying  your  fees;  there  being  no  other  charge 
against  them,  or  either  of  them,  respectively,  thau  is  mentioned 
in  their  mittimus. 

"  Given  under  our  hands  and  seals  this  16th  day  of  Decem- 
ber, 177§. 

"William  Henry, 

"  Michael  Hubley, 

"  Charles  Hall. 

To  the  keeper  of  Lancaster  Jail." 

"  I  do  hereby  certify  that  the  above  is  a  true  copy  of  the 

oricrinai  order  to  me  directed 

°  "  Andrev.'  Cunningham, 

nth  of  twelfth  month,  1778.'' 

A  difficulty  still  existed.  They  could  not  pay  the  jail-fees, 
any  more  than  the  fines,  consistent  with  their  conscientious 
convictions  of  duty  ;  as  is  well  set  forth  in  the  following 
paper : — 

"  Friends, — We  saw  your  order  to  the  jailor,  and  have  read 
and  maturely  considered  the  contents  thereof,  and  cannot  find 
the  least  freedom  in  complying  therewith  (we  mean  in  paying 
the  jailor's  fees)  for  the  following  reasons,  vh.  : — 

"1st.  And  principally,  because  the  same  that  constrained  us 
from  complying  with  the  requisitions  of  the  magistrates  who 
committed  us,  in  consequence  whereof  we  have  been  confined, 
doth  now  prohibit  our  paying  any  fees  as  a  recompense  of 
reward  to  the  jailor,  for  his  being  made  the  instrument  of  our 
(as  we  think)  unjust  and  altogether  causeless  restraint ;  having 
never  been  convicted  in  our  consciences  (or  by  a  public  trial 
in  a  court  of  justice  among  men)  of  the  breach  of  any  laws  in 
travelling  to  do  our  necessary  and  therefore  lawful  business. 

"  2d.  Because  we  desire  to  make  manifest  to  the  world  that 
the  principles  we  do,  as  a  people,  make  profession  of,  are  the 


290 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLV  QUAKERISM. 


dictates  of  the  spirit  of  the  Prince  of  Peace,  which  our  worthy 
ancestors  did  suifer  for ;  and  that  it  is  also  the  spirit  of 
Truth,  which  would  lead  into  all  truth,  those  that  principally 
mind  and  attend  to  its  dictates,  and  is  the  comforter  of  those 
that  are  willing  to  suffer  for  it,  rather  than  violate  and  grieve 
its  sacred  impulse ;  and  believing  also  that  the  same  spirit  is 
the  Spirit  of  Infinite  Wisdom,  and  therefore  cannot  err. 
And,  as  we  have  felt  that  peace  which  the  world  can  neither 
give  nor  take  away,  in  a  consolatory  manner  since  our  confine- 
ment, [we]  are  therefore  confirmed  that  our  conduct  in  the 
premises  hath  been  and  will  be  owned  by  the  Divine  Master 
and  Governor  of  the  universe.  To  conclude,  we  rather  choose 
to  be  the  Lord's  freemen,  and  (as  to  our  bodies)  our  keeper's 
prisoners  still,  than  balk  the  testimony  our  blessed  Redeemer 
hath  given  us  to  bear.  We  subscribe  ourselves  your  real  friends 
and  well  wishers, 

"  Jehu  Hollingsworth, 
"  Charles  Dingee, 
"  Thomas  Ruckman. 

"  To  William  Henry,  Esq., 

"  Michael  Hubley,  Esq., 
"  Charles  Hall,  Esq. 
Lancaster  Jail,  twelfth  mouth  17th,  1778." 

"  These  may  certify  whom  it  may  concern,  that  I  do  hereby 
remit  the  fees  to  the  within  named,  Jehu  Hollingsworth, 
Charles  Dingee,  and  Thomas  Ruckman,  respectively ;  and 
they  are  hereby  and  otherwise,  pursuant  to  the  within  order, 
absolutely  discharged  from  their  confinement  to  go  when  and 
where  they  list.  Witness  my  hand,  the  twelfth  month  17th, 
1778. 

"  Andrew  Cunningham, 

"  Jailor." 

Under  a  later  date  of  conference  we  find, — 

"  Thomas  Ruckman  (and  probably  the  others  also)  was 
taken  up  by  Joseph  Miller,  in  Lancaster  County,  who  ten- 


ALLEGIANCE  AND  ABJURATION. 


291 


(lered  him  the  test  of  abjuration  and  fidelity  to  the  States,  so 
called :  for  refusinjr  of  which  ho  Avas  committed  to  Lancaster 
Jail,  Avhere  he  remained  a  close  prisoner  fifteen  months  and 
fifteen  days ;  and  was  then  released,  by  a  repeal  of  the  law, 
without  paying  prison  fees  or  other  demands." 

"  Philadelphia,  December  29tli,  1778. 

"  In  Council,  ordered,  That  the  fine  of  one  hundred  pounds 
adjudged  by  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace  for 
the  County  of  Lancaster,  to  be  paid  by  Joshua  Bennett, — he 
having  been  convicted  in  the  said  court  of  having  kept  school, 
he  not  having  taken  the  oath  or  affirmation  of  allegiance  to  the 
States  according  to  law, — be  remitted. 

"  Extracted  from  the  minutes. 

"  T.  Matlack, 

"  Secretari/." 

"  Whereas,  Joshua  Bennett  was  committed  to  my  custody 
by  judgment  of  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions,  for  a  breach  of 
law,  in  keeping  school — not  having  taken  the  oath  or  afiirmation 
of  allegiance  to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, — until  he  paid  a  fine 
of  one  hundred  pounds  and  costs  of  prosecution  ;  and  whereas, 
said  fine  is  remitted,  and  I  am  ordered  to  enlarge  said  Bennett, 
I  do  therefore  enlarge  him  without  fees,  pursuant  to  order. 
Witness  my  hand,  this  23d  day  of  the  first  month,  1779, 

"  Andrew  Cunningham, 
''Jailor:' 

The  want  of  success  which  attended  their  efforts  to  extort 
fines  by  means  of  imprisonment,  soon  satisfied  them  that  they 
could  not  coerce  the  consciences  of  men  whose  chief  dependence 
was  upon  God,  and  led  to  the  speedy  repeal  of  the  laM' ;  a  law 
which  filled  the  prisons  but  left  the  cofi'ers  of  government 
agents  empty. 

The  laws  which  authorized  the  ofiicers  to  distrain  property 
whenever  it  could  be  found,  were  more  successful,  inasmuch  as 
they  left  the  peaceable  and  conscientious  citizens  without  any 
alternative  but  to  suifer,  and  were  continued  in  force,  to  the 


292 


RETROSPECr  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


very  great  distress  of  Friends.  The  repeal  of  the  law,  "  so  far 
as  respected  the  persons,"  the  imprisonment  of  Friends,  appears 
to  have  been  more  a  necessity  than  a  virtue.  Little  could  be 
gained  by  imprisoning  men,  when  neither  the  fines  nor  jail-fees 
could  be  collected. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

WAR. 

The  upright  and  pacific  policy  pursued  by  William  Penn  and 
his  followers,  in  administering  the  Governments  of  New  Jersey 
and  Pennsylvania,  for  a  long  time  preserved  them  from  hostile 
collisions  with  the  Indian  natives ;  indeed,  if  such  a  policy  had 
been  generally  adopted  and  continued,  collisions  would  never 
have  occurred.  But  a  different,  a  war  policy,  was  adopted  in 
some  of  the  neighboring  colonies,  which  soon  involved  them  in 
hostilities  with  the  Indians,  and  the  Quaker  Colonies  were 
called  upon,  both  by  their  sisters  and  by  the  home  government,  to 
assist  in  their  defence.  This  they  could  not  do  otherwise  than 
by  interposing  their  friendly  influence  with  the  Indians,  which 
was  freely  done. 

About  the  middle  of  the  last  century,  when  the  war  between 
England  and  France  was  carried  into  their  American  Colonies, 
causing  what  has  been  called  the  Canadian  and  Indian  War, 
each  belligerent  endeavored  to  turn  the  tomahawk  of  the  savage 
against  the  other,  and  Avith  so  much  success  as  to  cause  much 
cruelty  and  suffering  in  the  frontier  settlements.  Friends 
could  not  take  part  in  the  warlike  measures  of  the  day,  but  by 
continuing  their  friendly  intercourse  and  pacific  influence  with 
the  Indians,  they  were  enabled  to  do  more  to  repress  their 
hostile  incursions  than  they  could  possibly  have  done  by  a 
resort  to  physical  force.  Yet  in  those  times  of  unbridled 
passion  and  lawless  violence,  they  were  deemed  by  some  as  the 
secret  allies  of  the  Indians,  enemies  of  their  country,  and 
threatened  with  a  general  massacre. 


WAR. 


293 


The  governing  power  had  passed  into  other  hands  before  tlie 
struggle  for  independence  commenced.  Opposed  to  violence  of 
every  kind,  Friends  could  not  resort  to  physical  force,  either  to 
set  up,  pull  down,  or  reorganize  any  government;  for,  says  Jesus 
Christ,  "  My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world,  else  would  my  ser- 
vants fight."  They  saw  and  deeply  deplored  the  home  policy 
towards  the  colonies ;  but  their  dependence  was  on  God,  and 
not  on  man.  They  believed,  that  if  they  continued  to  abide  in 
a  patient  dependence  upon  him,  that  he  would,  in  due  time, 
dispose  the  hearts  of  the  rulers  to  do  them  justice.  Their 
principles  were  uncompromising;  their  path  straight  and  narrow  ; 
they  could  do  no  consistent  act,  either  to  oppose  the  one  party 
or  to  assist  the  other.  But  men  who  were  accustomed  to  depend 
upon  physical  force  for  the  redress  of  grievances,  could  hardly 
be  expected  to  appreciate  the  motives,  or  to  respect  the  con- 
scientious scruples  of  the  non-resisting  followers  of  Christ,  in 
the  peaceable  government  of  his  kingdom.  Hence,  it  is  not 
strange  that  Friends  were  subjected  to  severe  sufferings,  for 
maintaining  their  peaceable  testimony.  But,  how  inconsistent 
is  the  conduct  of  men  with  the  professions  which  they  make  to 
the  world  !  Perhaps  very  few  professors  of  the  Christian  name 
will  admit  a  doubt  of  the  coming  of  the  millennium,  foretold  by 
the  prophet  Isaiah,  -when  the  peaceable  kingdom  of  the  Prince  of 
Peace  shall  extend  from  sea  to  sea,  and  from  the  rivers  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth ;  yet,  when  a  very  numerous  and  respectable 
religious  society, — Friends, — have  come  to  this  desirable  point, 
and  have  already  realized  the  millennium  in  their  own  experi- 
ence, these  same  professors  and  believers  in  its  coming,  resort 
to  persecution,  pains,  and  penalties,  to  compel  them  to  abandon 
this  high  attainment. 

The  reliance  of  Friends  upon  the  principles  which  they  pro- 
fessed was  sometimes  put  to  trial.  Thus,  in  1688,  the  most 
alarming  reports  reached  Philadelphia,  that  the  Indians  were 
assembled  in  great  numbers  at  Naaman's  Creek,  for  the  purpose 
of  making  a  general  massacre  of  the  English  settlers.  A  mes- 
senger sent  out  returned  with  a  confirmatory  report,  that  the 
Indians,  having  a  lame  king,  had  taken  the  precaution  to  remove 


294 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


him,  together  with  their  women  and  children,  to  some  distant  place 
of  safety.  The  utmost  panic  prevailed  except  among  Friends. 
Caleb  Pusey,  a  member  of  council  from  Chester  County,  volun- 
teered "  to  go  to  the  place,  provided  they  would  name  five  others 
to  accompany  him,  without  weapons;  which  being  soon  agreed 
on,  they  rode  to  the  place ;  but  instead  of  meeting  five  hundred 
warriors,  they  found  the  old  king  quietly  lying  with  his  lame 
foot  along  on  the  ground,  and  his  head  at  ease  on  a  kind  of  pil- 
low, the  women  at  work  in  the  field,  and  the  children  playing 
together."'— (Fraud  I,  337.) 

Again,  in  170G,  Governor  Evans,  not  properly  appreciating 
the  motives,  and  perhaps  doubting  the  sincerity  of  the  oppo- 
sition of  Friends  to  all  warlike  measures,  and  having  been 
foiled,  through  their  influence,  in  his  attempts  to  establish  a 
militia,  determined  upon  a  disingenuous  ruse,  to  test  their  faith 
in  pacific  principles,  and  to  drive  them  from  their  position,  by 
concerting  "a  scheme  to  raise  and  carry  on  a  false  alarm,  in 
order  most  eS"ectually  to  terrify  the  inhabitants,  by  a  sudden 
surprise,  and  thereby  oblige  them  to  have  recourse  to  arms  for 
their  defence." 

"  Robert  French  acted  at  Newcastle,  by  sending  up  a  mes- 
senger to  the  Governor  at  Fhiladelphia,  in  the  greatest  haste 
and  consternation,  to  acquaint  him  that  a  number  of  vessels 
were  then  actually  in  the  river,  and  as  high  up  as  a  place  which 
he  named.  Upon  this  news  immediately,  the  Governor  acted 
his  part,  and  by  his  emissaries  made  it  fly  through  the  city  ; 
while  himself,  with  a  drawn  sword  in  his  hand,  on  horseback, 
rode  through  the  streets  in  seeming  great  commotion,  and  a 
behavior  adapted  to  the  nature  of  the  occasion  ;  commanded 
and  entreated  people  of  all  ranks  to  be  properly  assisting  on 
the  emergency,"  &c. 

After  describing  the  great  confusion  which  the  alarm  occa- 
sioned, the  historian  continues  :  "  As  to  the  Quakers,  it  is  said 
the  principal  part  of  them  were  attending  their  religious  meet- 
ing, as  usual,  on  that  day  of  the  week,  even  in  the  midst  of  the 
confusion  ;  and,  as  if  they  were  aware  of  the  design,  in  general 
behaved  themselves  so  far  consistently,  that  only  four  persons 


WAR. 


205 


who  had  any  pretence  to  be  accounted  of  that  Society,  ap- 
peared under  arms  at  the  place  of  rendezvous." — (Fraud,  I, 
470,  &c.) 

"'It  being  our  meeting-day  (observes  Logan),  and  although 
the  time  and  tide  that  was  to  bring  them  up,  it  did  not  prevent 
the  meeting ;  nor  did  the  surprise  put  many  of  our  Friends 
into  those  military  companies.'  And  Isaac  Norris  avers,  that 
'not  a  Friend  of  any  note  but  behaved  as  becomes  our  profes- 
sion.' " — (Janney's  Life  of  Penn,  505.) 

"  When  they  (the  people)  saw  how  grossly  they  had  been 
imposed  upon,  many  of  them  so  highly  resented  the  usage,  that 
the  authors  and  promoters  thereof  were  now  obliged  to  consult 
their  own  safety  from  the  fury  of  an  enraged  populace." — 
(Fraud,  I,  471.) 

1739. — "  Advised,  that  Friends  be  vigilant  in  keeping  up 
the  peaceable  principles  professed  by  us  as  a  people,  and  in  no 
manner  to  join  with  such  as  may  be  for  making  warlike  prepa- 
rations, offensive  or  defensive ;  but  on  all  occasions  to  demean 
themselves  in  a  Christian  and  peaceable  manner,  thereby  to 
demonstrate  to  the  world  that  our  practices,  when  put  to  the 
trial,  correspond  with  our  principles." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

174G. — "  As  it  hath  pleased  the  Lord,  by  the  breaking  forth 
of  the  light  of  his  Gospel,  and  the  shedding  abroad  of  his  Holy 
Spirit,  to  gather  us  to  be  a  people,  and  to  unite  us  in  love  not 
only  one  to  another,  but  to  the  whole  creation  of  God,  by  sub- 
jecting us  to  the  government  of  his  Son,  the  Prince  of  Peace, 
it  behooves  us  to  show  our  obedience  to  his  example  and  pre- 
cepts, who  hath  commanded  us  to  love  our  enemies,  and  to  do 
good  even  to  them  that  hate  us.  Therefore  we  entreat  all  that 
profess  themselves  members  of  our  Society,  to  be  faithful  to 
that  ancient  testimony,  borne  by  us  ever  since  we  were  a  peo- 
ple, against  bearing  arms  and  fighting ;  that,  by  a  conduct 
agreeable  to  our  profession,  Ave  may  demonstrate  ourselves  to 
be  real  followers  of  the  Messiah,  the  peaceable  Saviour,  of 
whose  government  and  peace  there  shall  be  no  end." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 


296 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


We  have  now  passetl  the  "golden  age"  of  Pennsylvania,  a 
period  of  more  than  seventy  years.  Clarkaon  I'emarks :  "  While 
William  Penn's  principles  prevailed,  or  the  Quakers  had  the 
principal  share  in  the  government,  there  VfSiS  no  spot  on  the 
globe  where,  number  for  number,  there  was  so  much  virtue,  or 
so  much  true  happiness,  as  among  the  inhabitants  of  Pennsyl- 
vania." Duponceau,  after  giving  an  eloquent  picture  of  what 
Pennsylvania  was,  adds  :  "  Not  that  her  citizens  were  entirely 
free  from  the  passions  of  human  nature,  for  they  were  men, 
and  not  angels ;  but  it  is  certain  that  no  country  on  earth  ever 
exhibited  such  a  scene  of  happiness,  innocence,  and  peace,  as  was 
witnessed  here  during  the  first  century  of  our  social  existence." 
But  the  scene  now  changed.  The  defea'j  of  General  Braddoek 
and  the  destruction  of  his  army  took  place  in  1755. 

"  The  degree  of  excitement  it  caused  in  Pennsylvania  was 
most  intense.  It  was  the  first  time  that  the  territory  of  Wil- 
liam Penn  had  been  stained  by  the  blood  of  the  battle-field ; 
and  now  that  the  desolation  of  war  had  actually  entered  the 
province,  the  cry  for  means  of  defence  became  loud  and  over- 
whelming. Quaker  principles  were  denounced  as  visionary  and 
absurd  ;  and  taking  advantage  of  this  state  of  things,  the  war 
party,  at  the  election  which  followed  in  1756,  carried  twenty- 
four  out  of  the  thirty-six  representatives  which  composed  the 
Assembly.  From  this  date  Pennsylvania  ceased  to  be  governed 
in  accordance  with  the  principles  of  the  Society  of  Friends." — 
(Bowden's  History  of  Friends,  II,  160.) 

A  few  extracts  will  show  the  exercises  of  Friends  in-  those 
excited  times. 

1755. — "In  an  humble  sense  of  Divine  goodness,  and  the 
gracious  continuance  of  God's  love  to  his  people,  we  tenderly 
salute  you,  and  are  at  this  time  therein  engaged  in  mind,  that 
all  of  us  who  profess  the  truth,  as  held  forth  and  published  by 
our  worthy  predecessors  in  this  latter  age  of  the  world,  may 
keep  near  that  life  which  is  the  light  of  men,  and  be  strength- 


WAR. 


297 


ened  to  hold  fast  tlie  profession  of  our  faith  without  wavering ; 
that  our  trust  may  not  be  in  man,  but  in  the  Lord  alone,  who 
ruleth  in  the  army  of  heaven,  and  in  the  kingdoms  of  men  ; 
before  whom  the  earth  is  as  the  dust  of  the  balance,  and  her 
inhabitants  as  grasshoppers." 

"And  as  we,  through  the  gracious  dealings  of  the  Lord  our 
God,  have  had  experience  of  that  work  which  is  carried  on, 
not  by  earthly  might  nor  power,  but  '  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the 
Lord  of  Hosts ;'  by  which  operation  that  spiritual  kingdom  is 
set  up,  which  is  to  subdue  and  break  in  pieces  all  kingdoms 
that  oppose  it,  and  shall  stand  forever.  In  a  deep  sense 
thereof,  and  of  the  safety,  stability  and  peace  there  is  in  it, 
we  are  desirous  that  all  who  profess  the  Truth  may  be  in- 
wardly acquainted  with  it,  and  thereby  be  qualified  to  conduct 
in  all  parts  of  our  life  as  becomes  our  peaceable  profession,  i 
And  we  trust  that,  as  there  is  a  faithful  continuance  to  depend 
wholly  upon  the  Almighty  arm,  from  one  generation  to  another, 
the  peaceable  kingdom  will  be  gradually  extended  from  sea  to 
sea,  and  from  the  rivers  to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  to  the  com- 
pletion of  those  prophecies  already  begun — '  that  nation  shall 
not  lift  up  sword  against  nation,  nor  learn  war  any  more.'  " 

"And  now,  dear  Friends,  with  respect  to  the  commotions 
and  stirrings  of  the  earth,  at  this  time  near  us,  we  are  de- 
sirous that  none  of  us  may  be  moved  thereat,  but  repose 
ourselves  in  the  munition  of  that  Rock  that  all  these  shakings 
shall  not  move, — even  the  knowledge  and  feeling  of  the  eternal 
power  of  God,  keeping  us  subjectly  given  up  to  his  Heavenly 
will ;  and  feel  it  daily  to  mortify  that  which  remains  in  any  of 
us,  which  is  of  this  world ;  for  the  worldly  part  in  any,  is  the 
changeable  part, — and  that  is  up  and  down,  full  and  empty, 
joyful  and  sorrowful,  as  things  go  well  or  ill  in  this  world. 
For,  as  the  Truth  is  one,  and  many  are  made  partakers  of  its 
spirit,  so  the  world  is  but  one,  and  many  are  made  the  partakers 
of  the  spirit  of  it ;  and  so  many  as  do  partake  of  it,  so  many 
will  be  straitened  and  perplexed  with  it.  But  they  who  are 
single  to  the  Truth,  waiting  daily  to  feel  the  life  and  virtue  of 
it  in  their  hearts,  these  shall  rejoice  in  the  midst  of  adversity. 


298 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


and  have  to  experience,  with  the  prophet,  that,  although  'the 
fig-tree  shall  not  blossom,  neither  shall  the  fruit  be  in  the  vine  ; 
the  labor  of  the  olive  shall  fail,  and  the  fields  shall  yield  no 
meat ;  the  flocks  shall  be  cut  off  from  the  fold,  and  there  shall 
be  no  herd  in  the  stalls ;  yet  will  they  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  and 
joy  in  the  God  of  their  salvation.'  " — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1759. — "  If  we  carefull}'  consider  the  peaceable  measures 
pursued  in  the  first  settlement  of  the  land,  and  that  freedom 
from  the  desolations  of  war  which  for  a  long  time  we  enjoyed, 
we  shall  find  ourselves  under  strong  obligations  to  the  Al- 
mighty, who,  when  the  earth  is  so  generally  polluted  with 
wickedness,  gave  us  being  in  a  part  so  signally  favored  with 
tranquillity  and  plenty  ;  and  in  which  the  glad  tidings  of  the 
Gospel  of  Christ  are  so  freely  published,  that  we  may  justly 
say,  with  the  Psalmist,  'What  shall  be  rendered  unto  the  Lord 
for  all  his  benefits  V  " 

"  The  dealings  of  God  with  mankind  in  a  national  capacity, 
as  recorded  in  Holy  Writ,  do  suiSciently  evidence  the  truth  of 
that  saying,  '  It  is  righteousness  which  exalteth  a  nation ;' 
and  though  he  doth  not  at  all  times  suddenly  execute  his 
judgments  on  a  sinful  people  in  this  life,  yet  we  see,  by  many 
instances,  that  where  men  follow  lying  vanities,  they  forsake 
their  own  mercies ;  and  as  a  proud,  selfish  spirit  prevails  and 
spreads  among  a  people,  so  partial  judgment,  oppression,  dis- 
cord, envy,  and  confusion  increase,  and  provinces  and  king- 
doms are  made  to  drink  the  cup  of  adversity,  as  a  reward  of 
their  own  doings.  Thus  the  inspired  prophet,  reasoning  with 
the  degenerate  Jews,  saith, — '  Thine  own  wickedness  shall 
correct  thee,  and  thy  backslidings  shall  reprove  thee ;  know, 
therefore,  that  it  is  an  evil  thing  and  bitter,  that  thou  hast 
forsaken  the  Lord  thy  God  ;  and  that  my  fear  is  not  in  thee, 
saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts.'  ....  Let  us,  then,  awfully  regard 
these  beginnings  of  his  sore  judgments,  and  Avith  abasement 
and  humiliation  return  to  him  whom  we  have  offended." — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  skeptic  may  boldly  deny  any  interference  of  Providence 


WAR. 


299 


■with  the  Avays  of  men,  hut  he  can  hardly  douht  that  the  just, 
equitable,  and  Christian  treatment  of  the  Indians  by  Friends 
had  the  effect,  either  directly  to  mollify  their  savage  nature, 
and  dispose  them  to  kindness  and  enduring  friendship,  or  indi- 
rectly, through  the  influence  of  Divine  grace  upon  their  hearts, 
to  afford  protection  and  support  to  those  who  are  willing  to 
walk  in  the  way  of  truth.  Be  this  as  it  may,  the  fact  ought 
never  to  he  lost  sight  of,  that,  under  all  the  wrongs  and  cruel- 
ties inflicted  upon  this  unhappy  people,  and  however  much  they 
might  have  been  instigated  by  French  emissaries  to  avenge 
their  wrongs,  the  persons  and  the  property  of  Friends  were, 
throughout  this  period  of  conflict,  respected  and  protected  by 
them.  Whatever  instrumentality  God,  in  His  infinite  wisdom, 
may  see  meet  to  employ,  the  conclusion  is  obvious,  that  He  has 
so  inseparably  connected  cause  and  effect,  that  neither  indi- 
viduals nor  communities  can  transgress  the  divine  law  of 
righteousness  without  incurring  the  penalties  which  belong  to 
their  violation. 

1775. — "  Having  taken  under  our  weighty  consideration  the 
sorrowful  accounts  given  of  the  public  deviation  of  many  pro- 
fessors of  the  Truth  among  us,  from  our  ancient  testimony 
against  war,  and  being  favored  in  this,  our  deliberation,  on  this 
affecting  subject,  with  the  calming  influence  of  that  love  which 
desires  and  seeks  for  their  convincement  and  restoration,  in 
order  that  our  union  and  fellowship  may  be  preserved,  and  a 
faithful  testimony  maintained  to  the  excellency  of  the  Gospel 
dispensation,  which  breathes  peace  on  earth  and  good-will  to 
men,  it  is  our  united  concern  and  desire  that  faithful  Friends, 
in  their  respective  meetings,  may  speedily  and  earnestly  labor 
in  the  strength  of  this  love  for  the  reclaiming  of  those  who 
have  thus  deviated ;  and,  where  it  is  necessary,  that  Quarterly 
Meetings  should  appoint  suitable  Friends  to  join  their  assist- 
ance in  the  performance  of  this  weighty  service ;  and,  where 
such  brotherly  labor  is  so  slighted  and  disregarded,  that,  by 
persisting  in  this  violation,  they  manifest  that  they  are  not  con- 
vinced of  our  Christian  principles,  or  are  actuated  by  a  spirit 


300 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


and  temper  in  opposition  thereto,  it  is  our  duty  to  testify  our 
disunion  with  them, 

"  And,  as  many  Friends  have  expressed  that  a  religious  ob- 
jection is  raised  in  their  minds  against  receiving  or  paying  cer- 
tain bills  of  credit,  issued  expressly  for  the  purpose  of  carrying 
on  the  war,  apprehending  that  it  is  a  duty  required  of  them  to 
guard  carefully  against  contributing  thereto  in  any  manner, 
we  therefore  fervently  desire  that  such  who  are  not  convinced 
that  it  is  their  duty  to  refuse  those  bills,  may  be  Avatchful  over 
their  own  spirits,  and  abide  in  true  love  and  charity,  so  that  no 
expressions  or  conduct,  tending  to  the  oppression  of  tender 
consciences,  may  appear  among  us.  And  we  likewise  aifec- 
tionately  exhort  those  who  have  this  religious  scruple,  that  they 
do  not  admit  or  indulge  any  censure  in  their  minds  against 
their  brethren  who  have  not  the  same ;  carefully  manifesting, 
by  the  whole  tenor  of  their  conduct,  that  nothing  is  done 
through  strife  and  contention,  but  that  they  act  from  a  clear 
conviction  of  Truth  in  their  own  minds  ;  showing  forth,  by  their 
meekness,  humility,  and  patient  suffering,  that  they  are  fol- 
lowers of  the  Prince  of  Peace." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1775. — "  Several  Friends,  of  a  committee  appointed  by  our 
last  Quarterly  Meeting,  to  assist  Monthly  Meetings,  in  treating 
■with  such  as  have  acted  as  committee-men,  or  joined  with  the  pre- 
sent commotions  and  tumults,  and  deviated  from  the  testimony 
of  faithful  Friends,  being  here,  this  meeting  appoints  Josiah 
Bunting,  John  Horne,  and  John  Humphreys,  to  join  the  Over" 
seers  in  treating  with  such,  agreeably  to  Discipline." — (Darby 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1777. — "  A  concern  being  expressed,  that  a  meeting  of  free 
conference  might  be  held  in  each  Particular  Meeting  of  Friends, 
selected  from  others,  for  the  information,  cautioning,  and 
strengthening  of  each  other,  in  these  times  of  commotion,  and 
for  our  preservation  through  the  many  trials,  and  from  the 
many  difficulties  which  now  abound,  and  are  likely  to  increase. 
....  The  following  Friends  are  appointed  a  committee  to  sit 
therein,  and  make  report  of  the  service  to  next  meeting,  viz. : 
William  Jones,  George  Dillwyn,  Peter  Worrall,  John  Hoskins, 


WAR. 


301 


Daniel  Smith,  Joseph  Buzby,  Aaron  Wills,  Moses  Wills,  David 
Ridgway,  Cornell  Stephenson,  Thomas  Enock,  Isaac  Bunting, 
John  Harvey,  and  Joseph  Ellison." — (Burlington  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1777._"At  Kennet  Monthly  Meeting,  held  the  18th  of  the 
ninth  month,  1777  [only  seven  days  after  the  battle  of  Brandy- 
wine],  a  concern  arising  in  this  meeting  for  the  distressed  in- 
habitants among  us  who  have  suffered  by  the  armies ;  therefore 
it  is  recommended  to  Friends  in  general  to  encourage  benevo- 
lence and  charity,  by  distributing  of  their  substance  to  such  as 
they  may  think  are  in  want  ;  and  Joshua  Way,  James  Bennet, 
Amos  Ilarvey,  Thomas  Carlton,  Jr.,  Caleb  Pearce,  Thomas 
Gibson,  Thomas  Chandler,  Jr.,  John  Marshall,  and  James  Wil- 
son, are  particularly  appointed  to  inspect  and  endeavor  to  relieve 
such  as  are  in  distress,  either  from  want  of  victuals,  clothes,  or 
other  necessaries." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  same  day  the  following  paper  of  acknowledgment  was 
presented  to  the  meeting. 

1777. — "Notwithstanding  I  have  had  a  right  of  membership 
among  the  people  called  Quakers,  but  not  enough  regarding 
the  principle  of  Truth  in  my  own  heart,  have  so  far  erred  as  to 
join  Avith  military  preparations  so  far  as  to  make  wheels  for 
cannon  carriages,  after  being  advised  to  the  contrary,  it  being 
inconsistent  with  the  principles  professed  by  me ;  for  which 
error  I  am  heartily  sorry,  and  do  condemn  the  same,  and  desire 
Friends  to  continue  me  under  their  care,  hoping  for  the  future 
to  be  more  careful. 

'•'  18th  of  ninth  month,  1777. 

»  A  S  ." 

(Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 
1777. — "The  committee  to  extend  relief  to  the  sufferers 
from  the  army  which  recently  passed  through  this  neighbor- 
hood, reported,  that  the  sufferings  of  many  have  been  great, 
but  that  none  appear  to  be  in  want  of  the  necessaries  of  life, 
except  one  in  the  verge  of  New  Garden  Preparative  Meet- 
ing, which  is  referi'ed  to  the  care  thereof ;  and  that  they  gene- 


302 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


rally  appear  to  bear  their  sufferings  with  a  good  degree  of 
cheerfulness." — (New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1777.  -^"  A  weighty  concern  attending  this  meeting  on  the 
account  of  the  deviations  of  many  of  our  members  in  bearing  a 
faithful  testimony  against  military  service,  by  actually  paying 
their  fines,  contrary  to  the  established  rules  of  the  Society  ;  to 
remedy  such  conduct  in  future,  it  is  agreed  to  have  a  meeting 
for  conference  at  Evesham  on  third-day  next,  at  the  tenth 
hour,  at  which  time  it  is  requested  that  all  the  members  of 
Society  should  attend." — (Evesham  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1778.  — "  Dear  Friends, — Whereas  I  have  paid  a  fine  imposed 
on  me  for  not  appearing  in  a  militant  order  with  Andrew 
Tranburg  and  company,  for  which  act  of  so  doing  I  have  re- 
ceived considerable  condemnation,  and  am  sensible  that  it  is 
not  consistent  with  a  Christian  life  to  do  so ;  therefore,  for 
the  clearing  of  Truth  and  my  own  conscience,  I  thus  give  my 
testimony  against  that  misstep,  and  hope  for  the  future  to  keep 
nearer  the  spirit  of  Truth,  that  leads,  and  not  astray. 

"  I  am  your  friend, 

"  I  H  ." 

(Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1778. — We  find  in  several  different  quarters  a  religious 
scruple  hath  appeared  and  increases  among  Friends,  against  the 
payment  of  taxes,  imposed  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  the 
present  war  ;  they  being  deeply  concerned  and  engaged  faith- 
fully to  maintain  our  Christian  testimony  against  joining  with 
or  supporting  the  spirit  of  wars  and  fightings,  which  hath  re- 
markably tended  to  unite  us  in  a  deep  sympathy  with  the  seed 
of  life  in  their  hearts. 

"  x\nd  feeling  a  sincere  desire  for  the  advancement  of  the 
kingdom  of  the  Prince  of  Peace,  in  sucli  a  gradual  progress  as 
may  be  consistent  with  his  Divine  will ;  we  earnestly  recom- 
mend to  all  the  members  of  our  religious  Society,  that  in 
singleness  of  heart  we  may  be  truly  exercised  in  giving  due 
attention  to  the  dictates  of  unerring  Grace,  and  strictly  careful 
not  to  stifle  or  suppress  the  secret  monitions  thereof  in  our  own 
minds.    And  that  all  may  be  closely  excited  to  watchfulness 


WAR. 


303 


and  care  to  avoid  complying  with  the  injunctions  and  requisi- 
tions made  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  war,  which  may  pro- 
duce uneasiness  to  themselves  and  tend  to  increase  the  sufl'erings 
of  their  brethren  ;  whicli  we  apprehend  will  be  the  most 
eftectual  means  of  advancing  our  Christian  testimony  in  purity, 
and  preserving  us  in  a  conduct  consistent  with  the  holy  princi- 
ples we  profess.  And  we  shall  experience  fervent  love  and 
concord  to  prevail  among  us,  which  will  enable  us  to  seek  and 
promote  the  edification  one  of  another,  in  that  faith  which 
worketh  by  love,  freed  from  every  censure  inconsistent  there- 
with."— (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1779. — "We  are  desirous  and  earnestly  recommend,  that 
Friends  in  every  quarter  be  encouraged  to  attend  to  their 
tender  scruples  against  contributing  to  the  promotion  of  war, 
by  grinding  of  grain,  feeding  of  cattle,  or  selling  their  property 
for  the  use  of  the  army,  or  other  such  warlike  purposes. 

"  And  that,  in  Christian  love  and  tenderness,  advice  should 
be  extended  to  such  who  have  deviated  or  are  in  danger  of 
deviating  from  the  testimony  of  Truth  in  these  respects,  in 
order  that  a  united  concern  and  labor  may  be  manifested  for 
the  advancement  of  the  peaceable  kingdom,  and  our  preservation 
in  that  bond  of  brotherly  love  Avhich  cements  and  unites  the 
true  followers  of  Christ." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

4 

The  following  is  properly  a  case  of  suffering,  but  it  so 
clearly  illustrates  the  pernicious  influences  of  the  spirit  and 
practice  of  war  as  to  claim  a  place  here.  The  effect  of  a 
military  life  is  to  eradicate  from  the  mind  of  the  soldier  that 
sacred  regard  for  human  life  which  the  Creator  has  placed  in 
every  breast ;  a  token  whereof  was  set  upon  the  brow  of  Cain, 
lest  human  passions  should  impel  men  to  violate  the  Divine 
law  by  avenging  the  blood  of  Abel.  The  narrative  was  fur- 
nished by  a  relative, — the  venerable  John  Watson,  of  Doyles- 
town : — 

"  Thomas  Watson  was  a  worthy,  exemplary  Friend  and 
thrifty  farmer  of  Buckingham,  Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania. 
During  the  winter  of  1779-80,  several  detachments  of  the 


304 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


American  army  encamped  for  some  days  in  the  vicinity,  pro- 
ducing a  scarcity  of  hay.    J          N  ,  who  kept  a  tavern 

at  Centreville,  applied  to  Thomas  to  purchase  a  stack  of  hay, 
■which  he  had  designed  to  distribute  among  his  less  fortunate 

neighbors.    He  declined  to  sell,  and  told  J  that  it  would 

be  opened  such  a  day,  and  if  he  would  come  he  should  have  a 

share  of  it.    J          still  insisted :  Do  you  expect  to  get  so 

much?  naming  a  sum.  Thomas  said,  No;  the  hay  was  not 
worth  so  much.  Do  you  expect  so  much  ?  and  so  much  ?  till 
he  found  about  what  Thomas  thought  it  was  worth.  He  then 
tendered  him  that  amount ;  which  was  refused.  But  the  man 
still  persisted.  At  length  (said  Thomas)  a  conviction  came 
over  me  that  I  ought  to  bear  my  testimony  against  such  money. 
I  turned  and  told  him  that  as  it  was  made  for  the  express  pur- 
pose of  carrying  on  war,  I  had  never  been  free  to  take  it,  and 
could  not  do  so  now  ;  but,  if  he  would  come  when  the  stack 
was  opened,  he  should  have  a  share  of  the  hay  without  any 

money  at  all.    That  was  enough.  J  immediately  went  and 

informed  General  William  Alexander,  sometimes  called  Lord 
Sterling  (who  was  at  Newtown  with  a  detachment  of  troops), 
that  a  rich  old  Quaker  in  Buckingham  had  a  stack  of  hay  to 
sell,  but  would  not  let  him  have  it,  because  he  had  nothing  but 
paper  money  to  pay  for  it.  It  was  not  to  be  endured  that  a 
stubborn  Quaker  should  plead  religious  scruples  for  refusing 
the  currency  of  Congress,  because  it  was  issued  to  carry  on 
the  conflict  in  which  they  were  then  engaged. 

"  An  order  was  issued  to  arrest  the  refractory  Quaker,  and  a 
file  of  men  sent  to  execute  it.  He  was  cari'ied  to  Newtown, 
closely  imprisoned,  tried  by  a  court  martial,  found  guilty  of 
refusing  to  take  Continental  money,  and  sentenced  to  be 
stripped  and  ironed,  and  on  the  next  afternoon  to  be  publicly 
hanged.  Strenuous  efforts  were  made  for  his  release,  but  ap- 
parently without  success.  His  nephew.  Dr.  John  Watson, 
visited  the  family  of  Henry  Wynkoop  on  the  occasion.  A 
young  invalid  officer  lay  on  the  floor  wrapped  in  his  blanket, 
and  heard  the  conversation.  At  length,  he  raised  upon  his 
elbow  and  said,  '  Young  man,  you  may  as  well  go  home  and 


WAR. 


305 


make  yourself  contented,  for  you  may  depend  upon  it,  your 
uncle  will  be  hanged.'  The  nephew  replied,  'I  hope  not;  I 
do  not  think  that  the  hanging  of  so  good  and  useful  a  man, 
and  one  so  well  esteemed  in  his  neighborhood,  will  be  approved 
of,  or  do  good  to  the  cause  of  the  people.'  '  If  your  uncle  is 
the  man  you  describe,  he  is  the  less  likely  to  escape.  His 
death  will  strike  more  terror  than  the  death  of  a  dozen  of  a 
different  character.  Lord  Sterling  has  long  been  determined 
to  make  an  example.  An  opportunity  is  now  offered,  and  he 
most  certainly  will  not  let  it  pass.  His  Excellency  (meaning 
General  Washington)  has  always  stood  between  such  men  and 
the  fate  they  deserve ;  but  he  is  now  too  far  off  to  be  reached 
before  the  sentence  will  be  carried  into  execution.  You  may 
go  home,  and  rest  assured  your  uncle  will  be  hanged.' 

"  But  the  wife  of  the  prisoner  had  a  warm  friend  in  the 
landlady  of  the  inn  at  Newtown ;  and  when  was  woman's 
kindness  ever  invoked  for  the  relief  of  suffering,  or  woman's 
tact  required  in  vain  ?  She  was  advised  not  to  apply  in  per- 
son for  the  release  of  her  husband.  The  landlady  had  learned 
Lord  Sterling's  fondness  for  the  creaturely  comforts  of  life; 
and  knew  that  wine  had  the  effect  to  soften  the  severity  of  his 
temper.  To  take  advantage  of  this  disposition,  she  invited 
him  to  a  sumptuous  dinner.  He  did  full  justice  to  the  deli- 
cacies of  the  table,  and  willingly  partook  of  the  generous  old 
wine,  which  had  been  reserved  for  special  occasions.  As  the 
wine  warmed  the  General's  good-nature  and  disposed  him  to 
kindlier  feelings,  she  cautiously  introduced  the  case  of  the 
condemned ;  pitied  his  condition,  cold,  and  in  irons ;  regai-ded 
his  treatment  as  needlessly  severe ;  and  at  length  requested 
that  his  fetters  might  be  removed  and  his  clothes  restored  to 
him.  He  could  not  resist  this  appeal  of  his  hostess ;  and  a 
note  was  sent  to  the  guard  in  answer  to  her  request. 

"  The  good  woman  continued  her  entreaties,  and  still  plied 
the  wine ;  when,  at  the  proper  moment,  the  wife  was  intro- 
duced. She  fell  on  her  knees  before  him,  burst  into  a  flood  of 
tears,  and  told  him  who  she  was,  and,  with  all  the  earnest- 
ness, feeling,  and  eloquence  of  a  loving  wife  pleading  for  the 

20 


306  RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


one  she  loved  best  on  earth,  begged  him  to  spare  her  hus- 
band's life.  Her  entreaties  were  of  a  nature  hard  to  bo 
withstood.  He  remained  some  time  silent  ;  then,  raising  her 
to  her  feet,  he  said,  '  Madam,  you  have  conquered.  I  must 
relent  at  the  tears  and  supplications  of  so  noble  and  so  good 
a  woman  as  you.  Your  husband  is  saved.'  He  immediately 
wrote  a  pardon  for  the  pi-isoner,  and  ordered  his  discharge. 
The  happy  pair  now  returned  to  their  homes  rejoicing." 

1790. — "  That  part  of  the  proposed  militia  law  which  offers 
exemption  to  such  persons  as  conscientiously  refuse  to  serve  in 
the  militia,  upon  condition  of  paying  two  dollars  yearly  towards 
defraying  the  expenses  of  civil  government,  coming  under  solid 
and  deliberate  consideration,  it  appears  to  be  the  united  sense 
and  judgment  of  this  meeting,  that  no  Friend  can  pay  such 
fine  or  tax,  consistent  with  our  religious  testimony  and  prin- 
ciple, it  being  a  fine  in  lieu  of  personal  services." — (Yearly 
Meeting  Extracts.) 

Under  the  phrenzied  excitement  produced  by  the  struggle 
for  independence,  cruel  and  oppressive  laws  were  made, 
whereby  Friends  suffered  much  in  their  persons  and  estates; 
which  sufferings  were  greatly  aggravated  by  the  unrestrained 
conduct  of  unprincipled  and  avaricious  collectors.  But  when 
the  excitement  had  passed  by,  the  Legislature  saw  that  Friends 
had  nevertheless  maintained  their  position  without  wavering; 
that  the  sufferings  to  which  they  had  been  subjected  were  as 
needless  as  they  were  cruel ;  and  that  where  men  place  their 
whole  dependence  upon  God,  legal  pains  and  penalties  can 
never  force  them  to  violate  their  consciences,  by  doing  any  act 
which  they  believe  is  contrary  to  his  will.  It  is  not  strange 
that  legislators  so  circumstanced  should  relent ;  and  such  was 
probably  the  origin  of  the  above  militia  law.  Its  framers  must, 
however,  have  had  an  imperfect  idea  of  the  grounds  of  Friends' 
conscientious  scruples,  or  they  would  have  perceived  that  they 
could  no  more  pay  the  fine,  than  render  the  personal  service 
which  the  law  required :  the  special  appropriation  of  the 


•SPIRITUOUS  LIQUORS, 


307 


money  did  not  in  any  degree  lessen  the  objection  to  its  pay- 
ment. 

1805. — "  It  is  the  sense  and  judgment  of  this  meeting,  that 
it  is  inconsistent  with  our  religious  testimony  and  principles, 
for  any  Friend  to  pay  a  fine  or  tax  levied  on  them  on  account  of 
their  refusal  to  serve  in  the  militia,  although  such  fine  or  im- 
position may  be  applied  towards  defraying  the  expenses  of  civil 
government;  and  where  deviations  in  this  respect  occur,  tender 
dealing  and  advice  should  be  extended  to  the  party,  in  order 
to  their  convincement  and  restoration  ;  and  where  they  con- 
tinue so  regardless  of  the  sense  and  judgment  of  the  body, 
that  the  labor  of  their  friends  proves  ineffectual,  Monthly 
Meetings  should  proceed  to  testify  against  thera." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

SPIRITUOUS  LIQUORS. 

The  custom  of  using  some  sort  of  intoxicating  liquors  seems 
to  have  spread  its  baneful  influence  almost  wherever  man  has 
placed  his  habitation. 

While  all  deplore  the  obvious  and  melancholy  effects  of 
drunkenness,  how  few  have  traced  the  evil  to  its  proper 
source, — a  perversion  of  our  family  and  social  habits.  While 
all  can  see  the  downward  course  of  their  neighbors,  as  they 
sink  into  this  debasing  habit,  how  few  perceive  that  they 
themselves  are  pursuing  the  same  downward  path  to  destruc- 
tion. It  may  not  seem  strange  that  one  whose  infancy  has 
been  cradled,  whose  childhood  has  been  instructed,  and  whose 
manhood  has  been  passed  in  the  filthy  styes  of  intemperance, 
should  be  thus  insensate  ;  but  that  rational  and  reflecting  men, 
of  cultivated  minds,  who  acknowledge  the  general  obligations 
of  a  moral  and  religious  life,  should  so  far  deviate  from  their 


308 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


accustomed  modes  of  thinking  and  of  acting,  as  to  fall  into 
this  degrading  habit,  is  an  anomaly  which  is  difficult  to  explain. 

The  pernicious  effects  resulting  from  the  sale  of  spirituous 
liquors  to  the  Indians,  very  early  attracted  the  attention  and 
required  the  exertions  of  both  civil  and  religious  society  to 
abate  the  evil.  But  so  long  as  it  was  made  an  article  of 
commerce,  and  very  extensively  used  by  the  Avhites,  all  their 
efforts  to  withhold  it  from  the  Indians  were  vain. 

1679. — "  It  was  desired  that  Friends  would  consider  the 
matter,  as  touching  the  selling  of  rum  unto  the  Indians, 
[whether  it]  be  lawful  at  all  for  Friends  professing  Truth  to 
be  concerned  in  it." — (Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1685.  — "  This  meeting  doth  unanimously  agree,  and  give  as 
their  judgment,  that  it  is  not  consistent  with  the  honor  of 
Truth,  for  any  that  make  profession  thereof,  to  sell  rum  or 
other  strong  liquors  to  the  Indians,  because  they  use  them 
not  to  moderation,  but  to  excess  and  drunkenness." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

1686.  — "  To  all  people  that  doth  know  or  may  hear  of  my 
being  ensnared,  or  overtaken  in  drink,  and  are  concerned 
thereat, — which  was  true,  to  my  shame  and  great  trouble, 
which  none  knows  but  the  Lord  alone ;  which  causes  me 
utterly  to  deny  the  practice,  or  any  other  which  may  bring 
dishonor  to  God  and  cause  his  Truth  to  be  evil  spoken  of, 
which,  I  can  truly  say,  was  a  great  cause  of  my  trouble  at 
this  time.  And  to  as  many  as  are  or  may  be  in  the  like  condi- 
tion, my  heart's  desire  to  the  Lord  is,  that  he  may  do  for  them 
as  he  hath  done  for  my  soul ;  and,  also,  that  they  may  humble 
themselves  under  his  smiting  hand,  and  not  fly  his  righteous 
judgments,  which  are  not  pleasant,  but  grievous  through  sin. 
Nothing  else,  but  love  and  good  will  to  all. 

"  Your  loving  friend, 

"N  L  ." 

(Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1687.  third  month. — "  Whereas,  it  is  oflfensive  to  see  the  great 
disorders  that  are  among  the  Indians,  by  reason  of  the  rum 


SPIRITUOUS  LIQUORS. 


309 


that  is  sold  unto  them,  and  that  Friends  may  keep  clear  of 
selling  them  any,  or  to  any  that  are  Indian  traders,  it  is 
agreed  that  Thomas  Janney  and  William  Yardley  do  speak 

with  W  B  ,  and  caution  him  thereof." 

Fourth  month. — "  Whereas,  at  last  meeting,  two  Friends  were 

appointed  to  speak  to  W  B  about  selling  rum  to  such 

as  sell  it  to  the  Indians ;  [they]  do  say  they  have  spoke  with 
him ;  and  his  answer  is,  that  it  is  not  against  the  law,  neither 
doth  he  know  that  it  is  any  evil;  however,  if  Friends  desire 
him  not  to  do  it,  he  will  for  the  future  forbear  it.  It  is  the 
unanimous  judgment  of  this  meeting,  that  it  is  a  wrong  thing 
to  sell  rum  to  the  Indians,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  or  sell 
rum  to  any  person  that  the  person  so  selling  it  believes  it  to 
be  disposed  of  to  the  Indians ;  because  we  know  and  are  satis- 
fied that  they  know  not — viz.,  the  Indians — how  to  use  it  in 
moderation,  but  most  commonly  to  the  abuse  of  themselves 

and  others.    Agreed,  that  Lyonel  Britain  do  speak  to  W  

B  again,  and  acquaint  him  that  it  is  the  desire  of  Friends 

he  Avould  be  very  careful  and  wary  how  he  doth  dispose  of 
rum  to  such  as  sell  it  to  the  Indians." — (Falls  Monthly  Meet- 
ing-) 

W  B  was  an  eminent  minister  and  member  of  Falls 

Monthly  Meeting,  which  was  long  held  at  his  house,  and  fre- 
quently chosen  to  the  Assembly  and  Provincial  Council.  He 
was  probably  the  only  merchant  in  that  vicinity  who  imported 
and  sold  rum.  The  coincidence  in  the  language  in  this  and 
the  following  minute,  renders  it  probable  that  Falls  Monthly 
Meeting  carried  the  concern  up  to  the  Yearly  Meeting. 

1687,  sixth  month. — "The  practice  of  selling  rum,  or  other 
strong  liquors,  to  the  Indians,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  or 
exchanging  rum  or  other  strong  liquors  for  any  goods  or  mer- 
chandise with  them,  considering  the  abuse  they  make  of  it,  is 
a  thing  contrary  to  the  mind  of  the  Lord,  and  a  great  grief 
and  burden  to  his  people,  and  a  great  reflection  and  dishonor 
to  the  Truth,  so  far  as  any  professing  it  are  concerned ;  and, 


310 


RETROSPSCT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


for  the  more  effectual  preventing  this  evil  practice,  as  afore- 
said, we  advise  that  this  our  testimony  be  entered  in  every 
Monthly  Meeting  book,  and  every  Friend  belonging  to  said 
meeting  to  subscribe  the  same." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

Middletown  Monthly  Meeting  has  a  minute  of  this  kind, 
signed  by  forty-nine  members.  Perhaps  the  earliest  instance 
of  a  temperance  pledge  on  record. 

1703. — "  This  Meeting  desires  W  B  to  supply  what 

W  P          stands  in  need  of,  it  being  some  molasses  and 

some  rum." — (Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

This  was  the  same  W.  B.  whom  that  Monthly  Meeting  had 
prohibited  selling  liquors  to  the  Indians  some  sixteen  years 
before.  It  was  inconsistent ;  for  when  we  reflect  that  the  prac- 
tice of  drinking  strong  liquors  was  then  almost  universally 
tolerated,  we  need  not  resort  to  the  supposition,  that  the  ricm 
was  needed  to  prepare  spirits  of  camphor,  or  to  bathe  a  rheu- 
matic limb. 

1706. — "  Advised  that  none  accustom  themselves  to  vain  and 
idle  company,  sipping  and  tippling  of  drams  and  strong  drink, 
in  inns  or  elsewhere.  For  though  such  as  use  that  evil  prac- 
tice may  not  suddenly  be  so  far  prevailed  upon  as  to  be  drunk 
to  the  greatest  degree,  yet  they  often  inflame  themselves 
thereby,  so  as  to  become  like  ground  fitted  for  the  greatest 
transgressions.  And  some  that  have  had  the  example  of  vir- 
tuous parents  have,  from  such  beginnings  in  corners,  arrived 
to  a  shameless  excess,  to  the  ruin  of  themselves  and  their  wives 
and  families,  and  the  scandal  of  the  holy  name  whereby  they 
have  been  called." — (Yearly  Meeting-.) 

1711. — "  This  Meeting  is  concerned  to  take  care  to  prevent 
the  bringing  of  drink  near  our  meeting-house,  in  the  time  of 
our  Yearly  Meeting,  and  therefore  does  advise  that  some 
Friends  of  this  Shore  be  appointed  to  address  the  government 
for  the  prevention  and  suppressing  the  said  evil  practice,  with 


SPIBITUOUS  LIQUORS. 


311 


the  evil  consequences  attending  it."  —  (Thirdhaven  Yearly 
Meeting.) 

1719. — "  Advised,  that  such  be  dealt  with  as  sell,  barter,  or 
exchange,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  to  the  Indians,  rum, 
brandy,  or  other  strong  liquors,  it  being  contrary  to  the  care 
Friends  always  had  since  the  settlement  of  these  countries, 
that  they  might  not  contribute  to  the  abuse  and  hurt  these 
poor  people  receive  for  drinking  thereof,  being  generally  in- 
capable of  using  moderation  therein." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1721. — "  Inasmuch  as  peoples  being  hurt  and  disguised  by 
sti'ong  drink  seems  to  be  a  prevailing  evil,  therefore,  where  any 
among  us  are  overtaken  therewith,  they  should  be  early  admo- 
nished, and  dealt  with  as  disorderly  persons.  And  it  becomes 
the  concern  of  this  meeting  to  advise  and  caution  all  of  our 
profession  carefully  to  watch  against  this  evil,  when  it  begins 
to  prevail  upon  them  in  a  general  manner,  or  more  particu- 
larly, at  occasional  times  of  taking  it;  the  frequent  use  whereof, 
especially  drams,  being  a  dangerous  inlet,  the  repetition  and 
increase  of  them  insensibly  stealing  upon  the  unwary,  by  wan- 
tonness in  the  young,  and  the  false  and  deceitful  heat  it  seems 
to  supply  the  aged  with ;  so  that  by  long  habit,  when  the  true 
warmth  of  nature  becomes  thereby  weakened  and  supplanted, 
the  stomach  seems  to  crave  these  strong  spirits,  even  to  supply 
■what  they  have  destroyed." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

These  correct  and  very  important  conclusions,  drawn  from 
the  suffering  and  experience  of  centuries,  have  been  claimed  as 
their  own  discoveries  by  some  modern  temperance  men. 

1724. — "  The  Friends  appointed  to  attend  the  Quarterly 
Meeting,  have  produced  to  this  meeting  a  copy  of  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting's  minute,  whereby  we  find  it  was  the  sense  of 
the  Quarterly  Meeting,  that  no  Friends  in  unity  with  us,  who 
shall  make  sales,  do  suffer  any  rum  or  other  strong  liquor  to 
be  made  use  of,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  by  the  crier  or 
any  other  person  in  that  behalf,  to  give  the  bidders,  to  pro- 


312 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


voke  or  encourage  them  to  advance  the  price  of  the  goods  so 
exposed  to  sale." — (Middletown  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1726.  — "  It  having  been  observed,  that  a  pernicious  custom 
has  prevailed  upon  the  people,  of  giving  rum  and  other  strong 
liquors,  to  excite  such  as  bid  at  vendues,  and  provoke  them  at 
every  bidding  to  advance  the  price,  which,  besides  the  injustice 
of  the  artifice,  is  very  scandalous,  and  leads  to  great  intem- 
perance and  disorder ;  therefore,  it  is  the  unanimous  sense  of 
this  meeting  to  caution  Friends  against  the  same ;  and  if  any 
under  our  profession  do  fall  into  this  evil  practice,  or  do  by 
any  means  encourage  the  same  (by  giving  or  taking  drams  or 
strong  liquor  at  vendues,  or  other  noisy  revelling  gatherings), 
they  should  be  speedily  dealt  withal  as  disorderly  persons." — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  Quarterly  Meeting  appears  to  have  taken  the  initiatory 
step  in  this  case,  which  was  speedily  followed  by  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  in  order  to  discourage  the  practice.  It  is  satisfactory 
to  find  almost  the  same  language  in  the  preamble  to  the  law  of 
Pennsylvania  to  prevent  this  pernicious  custom,  showing  clearly 
from  whence  it  was  derived.  "  Forasmuch  as  a  pernicious 
custom  hath  prevailed  in  many  places  of  giving  rum  and  other 
strong  liquors,  to  excite  such  as  bid  at  vendues  to  advance  the 
price,  which,  besides  the  injustice  of  the  artifice,  leads  to  great 
intemperance  and  disorders,"  &c. — (Preamble,  1751.) 

1727.  — "  R  McK  ,  a  member  of  this  meeting,  was 

overtaken  with  liquor  about  the  middle  of  the  last  third  month. 
He  hath  drawn  up  a  paper  condemning  the  same." — (New 
Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1736. — "  This  meeting  repeats  the  caution  of  last  year 
against  the  frequent  use  of  drams  or  other  strong  drink  in 
families  and  elsewhere,  and  particularly  to  be  cautious  of  giving 
them  to  children,  and  thereby  accustom  them  to  the  habit  of 
drinking  strong  liquors." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  caution  not  to  give  drams  to  children  will  not  avail,  so 


SPIRITUOUS  LIQUORS, 


313 


long  as  they  see  their  parents  use  them  and  give  thera  to  others, 
as  a  token  of  their  friendship  and  hospitality.  Such  an  ex- 
hibition only  Avhcts  their  appetite  and  renders  them  more 
solicitous  for  its  indulgence.  Nor  does  it  in  any  degree  lessen 
their  desire  to  be  told  that  such  things  are  not  good  for  chil- 
dren. The  great  mistake  is,  that  children  observe  more  closely 
and  reason  more  correctly  than  most  people  imagine ;  hence 
the  attempts  to  mislead  and  deceive  them  being  discovered, 
produces  a  bad  effect  upon  their  tender  minds.  A  consistent 
example  is  all  important  in  the  management  of  the  young  in 
this,  as  in  every  other  case. 

1737.  — "  We  tenderly  caution  all  Friends  constantly  to 
watch  against  the  indecent  and  pernicious  use  of  strong  drinks, 
which  sometimes  prevails  unexpectedly ;  and  as  we  cannot  but 
observe  with  grief  and  sorrow  the  frequent  instances  of  its 
destructive  effects,  not  only  to  men's  persons  and  estates,  but 
also  to  the  ruin  of  their  children  and  families,  we  fervently 
pray  that  all  Friends  may  be  careful  not  to  give  way  to  the 
gratifying  an  inordinate  appetite  for  any  kind  of  drams  or 
other  spirituous  liquors." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1738.  — "It  was  moved  to  this  meeting,  and  accordingly 
recommended  to  the  several  Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meetings 
to  caution  Friends  that  they  be  exceeding  careful  against  the 
too  frequent  use  of  spirituous  liquors, — it  being  remarked  to  be 
a  pernicious  and  growing  evil, — and  to  direct  the  Overseers  to 
deal  with  such  persons  as  may  drink  to  excess,  though  they 
may  not  drink  to  such  a  degree  as  to  disguise  themselves. 

"  The  proposal  of  Philadelphia  Quarterly  Meeting,  respect- 
ing the  great  number  of  public-houses,  being  considered,  it  is 
recommended  to  such  of  the  Friends  of  the  Quarterly  and 
Monthly  Meetings  belonging  to  this  meeting,  as  are  magis- 
trates, that  they  use  their  endeavors  to  lessen  the  number  of 
persons  recommended  for  that  service ;  and  that  Friends  be 
careful  not  to  sign  petitions  to  recommend  any  but  such  as  are 
proper  persons,  or  where  there  is  a  real  necessity." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 


314 


RETROSPECT  OF  I5ARLY  QUAKERISM. 


There  is  instruction  in  these  records.  Friends  are  acknow- 
ledged to  have  been  the  pioneers  in  the  temperance  reforma- 
tion ;  but  they  had  more  than  their  own  long-established  social 
habits  to  contend  with, — the  inveterate  customs  of  the  age  were 
against  them,  while  every  neighborhood  was  provided  with 
small  distilleries  for  the  manufacture  of  family  products  ;  hence 
we  may  learn  how  difficult  it  was  for  them  to  attain  to  the  true 
temperance  standard — total  abstinence. 

As  few  persons  will  candidly  deny  the  immoral  tendency  of 
the  sale  of  intoxicating  drinks,  or  plead  for  the  necessity  of 
places  where  they  shall  be  sold,  the  latter  advice  seems  to  cover 
the  whole  ground. 

1743. — "  Second  query :  Do  Friends  keep  clear  of  excess, 
either  in  drinking  drams  or  other  strong  drink  ?" — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

This  general  inquiry  was  all  the  Society  could  make  at  this 
early  period,  when  the  queries  were  first  addressed  to  the  sub- 
ordinate meetings. 

1750. — "  That  part  of  our  Discipline  which  relates  to  the 
practice  of  giving  of  drams  and  other  strong  liquors  at  ven- 
dues, being  now  considered  and  spoken  to  pretty  freely,  it  is 
the  sense  of  this  meeting,  that  the  minute  on  this  subject  con- 
tained in  the  General  Epistle  from  the  Yearly  Meeting,  1726, 
should  be  received  and  enforced  by  the  respective  Monthly 
Meetings ;  and  that  such  persons  who  transgress  the  same, 
should  be  dealt  with  as  disorderly  persons  ;  and,  if  they  persist 
in  justifying  their  conduct,  and  refuse  to  give  satisfaction  for 
the  same,  they  ought  to  be  testified  against." — (Yearly  Meet- 
ing-) 

The  advancement  of  the  testimony  required  a  corresponding 
change  in  the  query.    Thus  in 


1755. — "  Are  Friends  careful  to  avoid  the  excessive  use  of 


SPIRITUOUS  LIQUORS. 


315 


spirituous  liquors,  the  unnecessary  frequenting  of  taverns  and 
places  of  diversion,  and  to  keep  to  true  moderation  and  tempe- 
rance, on  the  account  of  births,  marriages,  burials,  and  all  other 
occasions  ?" — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1777. — "  This  meeting  is  engnged  to  exhort  and  admonish 
Friends  to  use  great  caution  in  that  of  distilling,  or  encouraging 
distillation,  or  using  distilled  liquors  of  any  kind ;  and,  in  re- 
gard to  the  practice  of  destroying  grain,  by  distilling  spirits 
out  of  it,  it  is  the  sense  and  judgment  of  this  meeting,  that 
that  practice  ought  to  be  wholly  discouraged  and  disused  among 
Friends,  and  that  Friends  ought  not  to  sell  their  grain  for  that 
purpose,  nor  to  use  or  partake  of  liquors  made  out  of  grain. 

"  Considering  the  dilBculty  and  snares,  both  to  our  young 
people  and  others,  which  are  attendant  on  that  of  keeping 
houses  of  public  entertainment,  beer-houses,  and  dram-shops, 
whereby  the  reputation  of  Truth  has  greatly  sutfered,  and,  in 
some  places,  the  children  and  families  of  persons  concerned 
herein  have  been  brought  into  disgrace  and  loss,  both  spiritually 
and  temporally,  it  is  the  united  sense  and  judgment  of  this 
meeting,  that  Friends  ought  not  to  give  way  to  the  desire  of 
outward  gain  arising  from  such  employments,  but  to  keep  them- 
selves clear  thereof,  by  attending  to  the  pointings  of  pure 
wisdom." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

It  was,  perhaps,  unfortunate  for  the  progress  of  the  cause, 
that  the  distinction  was  ever  drawn  between  liquors  made  from 
grain  and  other  products.  I  do  not  perceive  its  force,  while 
it  does  seem  to  have  had  the  effect  of  fixing  the  attention  of 
Friends  upon  one  kind  of  distilled  liquors,  and  also  of  with- 
drawing it  from  all  others,  as  well  as  from  fermented  drinks, 
which  are  more  insinuating,  and  therefore  more  likely  to  create 
a  morbid  appetite,  and  form  the  incipient  habit  of  intempe- 
rance. 

Many  of  the  Monthly  Meetings,  after  reciting  the  above 
advices,  recorded  the  results,  some  of  which  follow. 

1777. — "  Jacob  Wright,  Lewis  Pennock,  and  David  Moore, 


316 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


are  appointed  to  join  the  committee  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting 
in  that  service,  within  the  verge  of  this  meeting." — (New 
Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1777. — "  Which  coming  solidly  under  consideration,  the 
meeting  appoints  John  Millhouse,  Vincent  Bonsall,  Garret 
Blackford,  John  Yarnall,  and  Joseph  Chambers,  to  take  the 
necessary  care  therein,  agreeably  to  the  directions  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting." — (Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1777.  — "  Several  of  the  committee  appointed  by  our  last 
Quarterly  Meeting  in  order  to  visit  Friends,  for  reducing  into 
practice  the  advice  contained  in  the  extracts  relating  to  the 
distilling  and  use  of  spirituous  liquors,  now  being  here,  .  .  .  was 
appointed  to  join  them  in  that  service." — (Darby  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1778.  — "Friends  appear  united  in  desiring  that  Friends 
may  be  clear  of  those  practices,  and  In  order  that  they  may  be 
preserved  from  the  evil  thereof,  and  that  we  may  be  enabled  to 
make  a  suitable  report  to  the  next  meeting,"  a  committee  was 
appointed. — (Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1778. — "The  committee  respecting  public-house  keeping, 
spirituous  liquors,  &c.,  now  report,  they  have  lately  visited 
such  of  our  members  as  are  concerned  therein,  and  that  some 
of  them  don't  yet  decline  the  practice  ;  a  hint  whereof  is 
directed  to  be  sent  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting." — (New  Garden 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

1778.  — "  No  grain  sold  for  distilling,  no  liquor  distilled  out 
of  grain  used  among  Friends  that  we  know  of. 

"  Two  taverns  kept  by  men  whose  wives  are  members. 

"Where  spirituous  liquors  have  been  used  by  Friends  among 
their  workmen,  we  believe  they  have  been  used  sparingly." — 
(Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1779.  — "  The  Friends  continued  to  discourage  the  distillation 
of  spirits  out  of  grain,  &c.,  reported,  there  did  not  appear  to 
be  any  of  the  members  of  this  meeting  concerned  in  distilling 
spirits,  nor  but  one  Friend  concerned  in  selling  spirituous 
liquors,  at  this  time,  whose  husband  keeps  a  public-house." — 
(Darby  Monthly  Meeting.) 


SPIRITUOUS  LIQUORS. 


317 


1779.  — "We  find  an  increasing  concern  on  the  minds  of 
many  Friends,  to  discourage  the  unnecessary  use  of  spirituous 
liquors  on  all  occasions.  Notwithstanding,  we  have  sorrowfully 
to  observe  that  some  among  us  have  been  too  liberal  therewith, 
in  the  time  of  the  late  harvest.  We  know  of  none  concerned 
in  distilling  from  grain  ;  no  taverner,  except  one  woman  Friend, 
whose  case  is  under  care." — (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  following  conditions  of  John  Pemberton's  lease  to 
Gifford  Dally,  for  the  "  Old  London  Coffee-house,"  at  the 
corner  of  Market  and  Front  Streets,  show  how  careful  he  was 
to  obviate  the  demoralizing  tendencies  of  such  a  place. 

1780.  — "  Said  Dally  covenants  and  agrees  and  promises, 
that  he  will  exert  his  endeavors  as  a  Christian  to  preserve 
decency  and  order  in  said  house,  and  to  discourage  the  pro- 
fanation of  the  sacred  name  of  God  Almighty,  by  cursing, 
swearing,  &c.,  and  that  the  house  on  the  first-day  of  the  week 
shall  always  be  kept  closed  from  public  use,  that  so  regard  and 
reverence  may  be  manifested  for  retirement  and  the  worship  of 
God."  "  That  under  a  penalty  of  £100,  he  will  not  allow  any 
person  or  persons  to  use,  play  at,  or  divert  themselves  with, 
cards,  dice,  backgammon,  or  any  other  unlawful  game." — 
(Watson's  Annals,  p.  340.) 

It  is  due  to  the  memory  of  John  Pemberton  to  add,  that  he 
was  not  satisfied  even  with  this,  and  soon  after  sold  the  prem- 
ises for  a  store  and  private  dwelling,  "  a  thing  which  Mr.  Pem- 
berton said  he  much  preferred." — (Ibid.) 

1781.  — "  The  care  of  Friends  is  enjoined  to  be  continued  to 
discourage  the  distillation  of  spirits  from  grain,  or  using  spirits 
so  distilled ;  also  the  unnecessary  use  of  other  spirituous 
liquors,  or  the  distillation  of  them ;  likewise  the  keeping 
houses  for  public  entertainment  where  such  liquors  are  sold, 
by  any  of  our  members,  the  concern  and  labor  of  friends  having 
been  useful.    The  late  minutes  in  relation  thereto  are  again 


318 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


recommended  to  the  notice  of  Friends,  in  order  to  fulfil  the 
advices  therein  contained,  particularly  that  in  the  minute  of 
this  meeting  in  the  year  1777  ;  it  heing  the  judgment  of  the 
meeting  that  no  memher  of  our  religious  Society  should  be 
found  in  those  practices." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

At  a  period  prior  to  1783,  perhaps  as  early  as  1777,  the 
query  Avas  modified  so  as  to  read, — 

"  Are  Friends  careful  to  discourage  the  unnecessary  distilla- 
tion or  use  of  spirituous  liquors,  frequenting  taverns  and  places 
of  diversion,  &c." — (See  New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting,  1788.) 

1788. — "  The  evil  effects  of  the  use  of  spirituous  liquors, 
in  the  manner  they  are  commonly  used  at  the  ensuing  season 
of  gathering  the  produce  of  the  earth,  was  weightily  spread 
before  this  meeting,  with  desires  that  Friends  in  their  respec- 
tive Monthly  Meetings  may  be  afresh  encouraged  and  strength- 
ened to  bear  a  testimony,  by  example,  as  well  as  precept, 
against  the  so  frequent  use  of  this  baneful  evil. 

"  Copied  from  the  minutes  of  Chester  Quarterly  Meeting, 
held  at  Wilmington,  12th  of  fifth  month,  1788,  by 

"Joshua  Sharpless, 

"  Clerkr 
(Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1788. — "To  the  Yearly  Meeting  now  sitting: — The  commit- 
tee appointed  to  take  under  consideration  the  very  interesting 
subject  relating  to  spirituous  liquors,  have  had  a  free  open 
conference  on  the  occasion,  in  company  with  our  friends  from 
Maryland  ;  and  after  hearing  the  sentiments  of  divers  brethren, 
not  of  our  number,  and  inspecting  the  minutes  of  this  meeting 
in  years  past,  find  that  there  is  an  increasing  concern  harmoni- 
ously prevailing  for  the  advancement  of  our  testimony  against 
the  practice  of  trading  in,  and  making  use  of,  an  article  which 
is  attended  with  obvious  pernicious  effects  on  the  morals  and 
health  of  the  people  in  general ;  and  therefore  agreed  to  pro- 
pose that  it  be  recommended,  in  the  most  earnest,  tender  man- 
ner, to  our  Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meetings,  to  manifest  a  due 
interested  regard  and  attention  to  the  judgment  and  pressing 
exhortations  of  the  collective  body  of  Friends,  as  expressed  in 


SPIRITUOUS  LIQUORS. 


319 


the  minutes  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  1777,  and  the  subsequent 
advices  to  this  time,  as  ■well  as  the  renewed  exercise  which  has 
attended  the  minds  of  the  Friends  now  assembled,  for  the  pre- 
servation of  our  fellow-members  from  the  temptation  of  par- 
taking in  the  gain  of  unrighteousness. 

"And  for  the  effecting  of  this  desirable  purpose,  we  think  it 
expedient  that  the  Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meetings  be  excited 
and  enjoined  early  to  appoint  committees,  unitedly  to  proceed 
in  visiting  and  treating  with  our  members,  individuall}^,  who  are 
concerned  in  importing  spirituous  liquors  from  the  West  India 
Islands,  or  other  places,  either  on  their  own  account  or  as 
agents  for  others;  and  those  who  purchase  and  retail  such 
liquors  in  greater  or  less  quantities;  as  also  those  members  who 
are  concerned  in  the  distillation  of  these  liquors  from  grain,  or 
other  produce,  either  in  their  own  families,  or  encouraging  or 
promoting  it  in  others. 

"And  we  apprehend  it  is  expedient  to  recommend  and  advise 
those  who  make  use  of  spirituous  liquors  in  their  families,  in  a 
medicinal  way,  that  they  be  careful  to  keep  within  the  bounds 
of  true  moderation  in  the  use  of  them  for  such  a  purpose ;  and 
that  our  members  in  general  refrain  from  the  practice  of  using 
them  in  the  time  of  harvest,  or  otherwise. 

"  Hoping  that  the  brotherly  labor  with  all  who  continue  in  the 
practices  here  recited,  may  be  effectual  to  convince  them  of  the 
impropriety  of  their  conduct,  and  the  benefit  of  Christian  fel- 
lowship, we  much  desire  that  the  committees  who  may  be 
appointed  on  the  service  now  proposed,  would  be  religiously 
engaged  to  perform  it  with  diligence  and  care,  under  the  influ- 
ence of  true  love  and  affection ;  and  that  clear  and  explicit 
accounts  be  sent  of  the  success  of  their  endeavors,  and  the  state 
of  their  members  in  general,  in  the  respects  before  mentioned, 
in  the  reports  to  this  meeting  next  year. 

"  Submitted  to  the  further  consideration  of  the  Yearly  Meet- 
ing, and  signed  on  behalf  of  the  committee,  by 

"Joseph  Penrose, 
"John  Evans, 
"Mark  Miller. 

"Philadelphia,  4lh  of  tenth  month,  1788." 


320 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


1788.  — "Most  of  the  committee  appointed  by  last  Quar- 
terly Meeting  attended  here,  and  in  order  that  the  concern  of 
the  body  may  be  more  extensively  spread,  and  the  good  pur- 
poses therein  designed  effected,  this  meeting  appoints  Samuel 
Pennock,  David  Graves,  John  Marshall,  Samuel  Ilarlan, 
Thomas  Chandler,  Samuel  Nicholls,  William  Harvey,  George 
Passmore,  and  Robert  Lamborn,  to  take  the  subject-matter 
relative  to  spirituous  liquors  under  their  solid  consideration, 
and  proceed  |therein  as  they  in  the  wisdom  of  truth  may  be 
enabled." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1789.  — "Endeavors  have  been  used  to  collect  Friends  gen- 
erally at  the  several  meeting-houses,  where  the  concern  of  the 
body  was  publicly  read,  in  the  presence  of  men  and  women 
Friends.  And  labor  has  been  extended  to  some  where  it  has 
appeared  necessary,"  &c. — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1789.  — "There  are  two  Friends  who  are  concerned  in  retail- 
ing distilled  spirituous  liquors  (one  of  whom  proposes  shortly 
declining  the  practice),  a  few  who  keep  stills  (though  latterly 
have  done  very  little  at  distilling),  and  a  few  who  have  taken  of 
their  produce  to  be  distilled  ;  most  of  whom  a  committee  out  of 
our  number  have  taken  opportunities  with.  Most  of  the  visited 
appear  disposed  to  take  the  subject  under  close  consideration," 
&c. — (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1790.  — "  There  is  an  increasing  concern  among  Friends  to 
discourage  the  unnecessary  use  of  distilled  spirituous  liquors  ; 
and  we  do  not  find  any  in  the  practice  of  distilling,  retailing, 
or  importing  them." — (Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1792. — "I,  the  subscriber,  was  so  unguarded  some  time  ago 
as  to  drink  cider  in  public  company,  to  my  hurt,  and  to  the 
reproach  of  the  profession  I  make.  For  which  conduct  I 
have  been  favored  to  feel  sorrow,  and  do  hope,  with  Divine 
assistance,  to  be  more  watchful  in  future.  I  desire  Friends 
to  continue  me  under  their  care  as  my  future  conduct  may 
deserve. 

"  W  Mc  ." 

(New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 


SniUTUOUS  LIQUORS, 


321 


1794. — "  To  the  Yearly  Meeting,  now  sitting 
"We,  the  committee  appointed  to  take  into  consideration 
the  subject  of  distilled  spirituous  liquors,  having  several  times 
met  and  -weightily  deliberated  thereon,  as  also  examined  former 
minutes  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  on  the  subject,  ngixie  to  report, 
that  it  is  our  united  sense  and  judgment,  it  -would  be  expedient 
for  the  Yearly  Meeting  to  recommend  to  the  Quarterly  and 
Monthly  ^lectings  to  continue  their  car«  in  a  strict  observance 
of  the  advices  handed  down  by  minutes  of  1777  and. 1778; 
and  if  any  should  reject  the  labor  and  advice  of  their  Friends, 
by  continuing  in  the  practice  of  importing  of,  or  vending, 
spirituous  liquors,  either  on  their  own  account  or  as  agents 
for  others,  or  distil  or  retail  such  liquors,  or  sell  or  grind 
grain  for  the  use  of  distillation,  that  such  should  not  be  em- 
ployed in  any  service  in  the  Church,  nor  their  contributions 
be  received  for  the  use  thereof.  .  .  .  And  we  further  pro- 
pose, that  if  any  should  distil  spirits  out  of  grain,  or  retail 
such  liquors,  that  Monthly  Meetings  should  deal  with  them  as 
other  offenders ;  and,  if  they  cannot  be  prevailed  upon  to 
desist  from  such  a  practice,  be  at  liberty  to  declare  their  dis- 
unity with  them. 

"  Signed,  on  behalf  of  the  committee,  the  -Sd  of  the  tenth 
month,  1794. 

"  Nathan  Coopek, 
"  Benjamin  Linton." 

(Y^'early  Meeting.) 

1796. — "  The  committee  appointed  by  our  last  Quarterly 
Meeting,  in  order  to  encourage  and  strengthen  the  members 
of  our  religious  Society,  in  the  different  Monthly  Meetings, 
to  an  upright  faithfulness  in  our  testimony  against  the  use  of 
distilled  spirituous  liquors,  being  now  present,  and  having  pro- 
duced several  minutes  of  our  Yearly  Meeting  on  the  subject 
in  years  past,  which  being  read  in  the  audience  of  men 
and  women  Friends,  and,  after  divers  pertinent  observations 
being  feelingly  expressed  on  the  occasion,  this  meeting  thinks 
best  to  appoint  a  committee  to  take  the  subject-matter  reli- 
giously under  their  care,  and  to  afford  such  advice  and  counsel 

21 


322 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


as  they  may  be  enabled,  to  those  of  our  members  as  are  or 
may  be  in  danger  of  wounding  themselves  or  the  testimony, 
on  these  accounts.  Therefore,  Caleb  Kirk,  Stephen  Logue, 
Thomas  Carleton,  William  Lamborn,  John  Marshall,  and  Caleb 
Sharpless,  are  nominated  to  the  service." — (Kennet  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

1798. — "We,  the  committee  in  the  case  of  distilled  spirituous 
liqviors,  report,  that  there  has  been  four  of  our  number  con- 
cerned in  retailing,  who  have  been  visited ;  and  one  of  them 
informed  that  he  felt  uneasy  about  it,  and  has  declined  the 
practice.  The  other  three  gave  no  encouragement  of  declin- 
ing, though  two  of  them  have  been  often  visited.  No  distillers 
among  us  that  we  know  of ;  and  we  believe  Friends  in  general 
have  been  clear  of  handing  it  out  to  their  hands  in  the  late 
harvest ;  though  it  appears  there  has  been  some  small  quanti- 
ties made  use  of  among  the  hands  of  a  few,  most  of  whom 
have  been  spoken  to." — (Kennet  Monthly  Meeting.) 

In  the  Book  of  Discipline,  published  in  1806,  the  query  was 
further  extended. 

1806. — "Are  Friends  careful  to  discourage  the  unnecessary 
distillation  or  use  of  spirituous  liquors,  frequenting  of  taverns, 
&c.  ?"— (Yearly  Meeting.) 

While  I  am  willing  to  allow  full  credit  to  all  co-laborers  in 
the  cause  of  temperance,  and  rejoice  in  their  success,  it  is 
proper  to  say  that  Friends  were  the  pioneers  in  this  reforma- 
tion. It  is  only  to  be  regretted  that  they  have  not  been  more 
unitedly  concerned  in  carrying  on  so  noble  a  work.  One 
special  cause  of  this  apparent  neglect  may,  however,  be  found 
in  the  fact  that  they  have  operated  upon  the  mass  :  their 
disciplinary  regulations  were  applicable  to  all  the  members, 
and  must  needs  be  governed  by  the  progress  of  the  Society 
collectively.  Others  have  only  operated  upon  individuals 
(however  numerous  they  may  have  been),  and  they  could  at  any 


SPIRITUOUS  LIQUORS. 


323 


time  enjoin  total  abstinence,  or  require  a  temperance  pledge, 
let  the  numbers  be  many  or  few. 

Formerly,  the  distillation  of  spirits  was  a  family  employ- 
ment, the  use  of  them  as  a  drink  was  everywhere  common ; 
hence,  the  excessive  use  was  of  frequent  occuiTence.  Indeed, 
it  was  found  so  difficult  for  a  man  to  follow  the  exact  line 
where  sobriety  ends  and  intemperance  begins,  that  a  slight 
departure  from  it  was  considered  a  venial  error,  and  was  soon 
forgotten. 

But  the  evils  of  intemperance  are  not  solitary, — they  are 
legion.  An  attentive  observer  cannot  fiiil  to  discover  that  a 
large  proportion  of  the  transgressions  of  former  times,  sprang 
from  that  prolific  source  of  evil,  the  intoxicating  bowl;  among 
these,  quarrelling  and  gross  immoralities  were  exceedingly 
common. 

B}^  steadily  pursuing  the  even  tenor  of  their  way,  it  is  pro- 
bable that  Friends,  as  a  class,  are  still  in  advance  of  any  other 
religious  association  in  regard  to  temperance. 

1832. — "  Monthly  Meetings  ought  to  take  an  early  oppor- 
tunity tenderly  to  treat  with  such  of  our  members  as  are 
concerned  either  in  the  importation,  distillation,  or  sale  of 
spirituous  liquors  ;  and  if,  after  faithful,  patient  labor  to  con- 
vince them  of  the  awful,  demoralizing  effects  of  their  conduct, 
and  its  inconsistency  with  the  testimony  of  our  religious 
Society,  they  cannot  be  prevailed  upon  to  relinquish  the 
business,  the  said  meetings  be  at  liberty  to  put  the  Discipline 
in  practice  against  them." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  query  was  further  altered  to  read  thus,  in 

1839. — "  Are  Friends  clear  of  the  distillation  or  sale  of 
spirituous  liquors  ?  and  are  they  careful  to  discourage  the  use 
thereof  as  a  drink,  and  from  attending  places  of  diversion,  and 
the  unnecessary  frequenting  taverns  ?  and  do  they  keep  to 
true  moderation  and  temperance  on  the  account  of  marriages, 
burials,  and  other  occasions  ?" — (Yearly  Meeting.) 


324 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


A  CASE. 

The  causes  of  intemperance  may  be  either  social  or  pliysio- 
logical.  In  an  age  when  intoxicating  drinks  were  not  only 
tolerated,  but  deemed  almost  an  essential  at  the  board  of 
hospitality,  when  only  their  excessive  use  was  censured,  a 
discrimination  between  their  use  and  abuse  was  required,  often 
difficult  to  determine,  until  too  late, — every  man  was  deemed 
to  be  sober  until  he  became  drunken.  By  the  continued  social 
use,  an  appetite  was  soon  formed  for  such  drinks,  which  be- 
came difficult  to  control.  The  nervous  systems  of  some  persons 
are  so  constituted  as  seemingly  to  require,  and  apparently  to 
be  benefited  by  their  use.  But  when  the  social  and  physio- 
logical causes  co-operate,  the  subject  of  them  requires  not  only 
deep  sympathy  and  charitable  indulgence,  but  constant  aid,  to 
shield  him  from  the  dangers  which  beset  him. 

Such,  we  apprehend,  Avas  the  situation  of  A  B  (for 

so  we  shall  call  him),  and  such  was  the  religious  care  of  his 
friends,  who  snatched  him  as  a  brand  from  the  burning,  and 
restored  him  to  usefulness  in  his  family  and  in  the  Church. 
''Let  him  that  thinketh  he  standeth,  take  heed  lest  he  fall." 

The  account  is  condensed  from  the  records  of  one  of  our 
Monthly  Meetings,  as  meriting  a  place  in  this  collection. 

1742. — A  B  was  allowed  "liberty  to  sit  with  the 

ministers  and  elders  in  their  meetings."  He  subsequently 
obtained  certificates,  in 

1751.  — "  To  visit  some  meetings  of  Friends  in  Maryland." 

1752.  — "  To  visit  Friends  on  Long  Island,  and  some  parts 
of  the  Jerseys." 

1756. — "To  visit  Friends  at  Maiden  Creek." 

1756.  — "  To  visit  the  families  of  Friends  in  New  York,  and 
some  on  Long  Island." 

1757.  — "  To  attend  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  Choptank,  Mary- 
land." 


SPIRITUOUS  LIQUORS. 


325 


1758.  — "To  attend  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  West  River. 
Maryland." 

1759.  — "  To  visit  some  meetings  on  the  Western  Shore, 
Maryland." 

17C2. — Without  any  complaint  or  dissatisfaction  appearing 

on  the  record,  or  any  apparent  previous  labor,  A   B  

now  presents  himself  before  the  Monthly  Meeting  with  the  fol- 
lowing paper : — 

"  To  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends,  to  be  held,  &c. : 

"  AVhereas,  I  have  for  many  years  made  profession  of  the 
Truth,  but,  for  want  of  due  attention  to  the  dictates  thereof, 
have  unguardedly  given  way  to  drinking  strong  drink  to  ex- 
cess, whereby  I  have  brought  great  reproach  upon  our  holy 
profession  and  grief  to  my  friends,  for  which  I  am  heartily 
sorry,  and  give  this  testimony  against  that  evil ;  sincerely  de- 
siring that  I  may  more  and  more  experience  a  dwelling  in  that 
holy  fear  which  is  sufficient  to  preserve  all ;  and  it  is  my  earnest 
breathing,  that  I  may  be  reconciled  to  the  Lord,  His  Church, 
and  people,  and  witness  our  former  unity  to  be  restored ;  and 
that  I  may  be  enabled,  through  a  circumspect  and  humble 
walking  for  the  future,  to  effectually  remove  the  reproach  which 
my  conduct  hath  occasioned. 

"A         B  ." 

1770.  — We  find  A          B  again  "  recommended  in  the 

station  of  a  minister,  as  heretofore."  He  subsequently  obtained 
certificates,  in 

1771.  — "To  visit  the  Indians,  and  some  Friends'  meetings 
in  West  New  Jersey." 

1771.  — "  To  attend  some  meetings  on  the  Western  Shore. 
Maryland." 

1772.  —"  To  attend  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  West  River,"  &c. 

1773.  seventh  month. — "  Our  Preparative  Meeting  com- 
plains of  A  B  for  taking  strong  drink  to  excess.  .  .  . 

are  appointed  to  treat  with  him  ;  also  to  inquire  how  far  his 
conduct  has  been  reproachful,"  &c. 

1773,  ninth  month. — "His  conduct  has  been  reproachful  in 
several  respects, — in  taking  too  much  strong  drink  several 


326 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


times,  and  still  aj^pearing  in  public  ministry,  both  at  home  and 
abroad." 

1773,  eleventh  month. — "  Thinks  there  is  rather  encourage- 
ment for  further  labor." 

1773,  twelfth  month. — "  Appears  to  be  under  a  considerable 
weight  of  suifering,  on  account  of  his  transgressions  ;  yet  they 
consider  him  far  short  of  that  state  of  mind  in  which  it  w"ould 
be  proper  for  him  to  offer  anything  to  this  meeting  by  way  of 
satisfaction." 

1774,  second  month. — "  He  desired  (by  a  friend)  his  case 
should  still  be  continued." 

1774,  fourth  month. — "  This  meeting,  taking  into  considera- 
tion the  situation  of  A  B  's  standing  upon  record  as  a 

minister,  concludes  that  he  ought  not  to  have  the  privilege  of 
sitting  in  our  Meetings  of  Ministers  and  Elders,"  &c. 

1774,  sixth  month. — "  He  appeared  here,  and  offered  some 
lines  by  way  of  acknowledgment."  "  Best  to  leave  it  under 
consideration." 

1774,  seventh  month. — "  Another  paper  being  produced 
somewhat  different,  and  some  straitness  appearing,  it  is  con- 
tinued another  month." 

1774,  eighth  month. — "  A  B  attended  this  meeting 

with  a  paper  condemning  his  misconduct,  which  was 

read  ;  and,  after  some  alteration,  was  received  is 

appointed  to  read  it  in  a  first-day  meeting. 
"  '  To  Friends  of   Monthly  Meeting  : 

"  '  Whereas,  I  have  made  profession  of  the  Truth,  but,  for 
want  of  keeping  on  my  watch,  have  erred,  by  several  times 
taking  too  much  strong  drink,  also  appearing  in  public  as  a 
minister  soon  after ;  for  which  reproachful  conduct  I  am  hear- 
tily sorry,  and  hereby  take  the  shame  to  myself,  and  desire 
Friends  to  pass  by  my  offences,  and  continue  me  under  their 
care  ;  hoping,  through  Divine  help,  to  be  more  careful  in  future. 

'"A         B  .'" 

1788. — "  The  recommendation  of  our  Friend  A  B  , 

to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  as  a  minister 
approved  by  us,  being  again  considered,  and  Women's  Meeting 


SPIRITUOUS  LIQUORS. 


327 


concun-ing  therewith,  it  is  concludcil  to  recommend  him  accord- 
ingly," &c.    lie  subsequently  obtained  certificates 

1788.  — "  To  visit  some  meetings  on  the  Western  Shore, 
Maryland." 

1789.  — "  To  visit  Friends  in  New  York  and  New  England 
Governments." 

1790.  — "  To  attend  meetings  in  Chester  and  Lancaster 
Counties." 

1790.  — "To  visit  Friends  in  Virginia,  the  Carolinas,  and 
Georgia." 

1791.  — "  To  visit  Friends  in  parts  of  Pennsylvania  and  New 
Jersey." 

Some  may  entertain  a  doubt  whether  this  Friend  was  sin- 
cere, and  properly  authorized  to  preach  the  Gospel.  This  may 
best  be  left  to  those  who  sat  under  his  ministry.  It  was  the 
practice  of  Friends,  when  ministei-s  came  from  distant  meet- 
ings, and  their  ministry  was  approved,  to  furnish  them  with 
return  minutes  to  that  eflect.  Subsequent  to  his  third  recom- 
mendation as  a  minister,  he  obtained  and  produced  the  follow- 
ing testimonials  of  this  character  to  his  Monthly  Meeting, 
which  are  there  minuted,  and,  for  aught  that  appears,  were 


satisfactory  :- 

1788.— From  the 

"  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Baltimore." 

1788.— 

u 

"Monthly  Meeting  at  Indian  Springs." 

1789.— 

"Yearly  Meeting   at  Westbury,  Long 

Island." 

1789.— 

ii 

"Yearly  Meeting  of  Rhode  Island." 

1789.— 

"  Quarterly  Meeting  at  New  Bedford." 

1789.— 

"  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Oblong." 

1789.— 

a 

"Monthly  Meeting  at  Saratoga." 

1790.— 

ii 

"  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Salem,  at  Dover." 

1791.— 

a 

"  Yearly  Meeting  at  Wainoak,  in  Vir- 

ginia." 

1791.— 

u 

"  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Center,  N.  C." 

328 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


1791. — From  the  "  Quarterly  Meeting  near  Little  River, 
N.  C/' 

1791.—       "      "Quarterly  Meeting   of  New  Garden, 
N.  C." 

We  have  given  this  remarkable  case  by  way  of  encourage- 
ment, both  to  the  humble  transgressor  and  to  those  whose 
province  it  may  be  to  labor  for  his  recovery. 


CHAPTER  XXVII, 

NEGROES  AND  SLAVERY. 

We  apprehend  the  reader  will  approach  this  subject  with 
feelings  of  surprise  that  Friends  should  evei^  have  become 
slaveholders.  The  colonial  history  of  our  country  explains^, 
but  does  not  justify  them  in  the  practice.  There  have  ever  been 
those  in  the  Christian  Church  who  held  slavery  to  be  incom- 
patible with  Christianity,  as  instituted  by  its  Divine  Author. 
Thus  the  martyr  Cyprian,  who  wrote  sixteen  hundred  years 
ago,  declares,  that  "  Both  religion  and  humanity  make  it  a 
duty  for  us  to  work  for  the  deliverance  of  the  captive.  They 
[the  slaves}  are  sanctuaries  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  have  fallen 
into  the  hands  of  the  infidel."  The  Puritan  Fathers  of  the 
Massachusetts  colony  took  a  bold  stand,  and  sent  back  the  first 
cargo  of  Africans  which  reached  their  shores,  declaring  the 
traffic  "  expressly  contrary  to  the  law  of  God  and  the  law  of 
the  country,"  and  imposed  the  death  penalty  upon  the  further 
infraction  of  it ;  while  good  old  Roger  Williams  declared  that 
"  no  black  mankind"  should  be  held  as  slaves,  or  for  life,  in 
the  colony  of  Rhode  Island ;  but  that,  "  at  the  end  of  ten 
years,  the  master  should  set  them  free,  as  the  manner  is  with 
English  servants." 

At  the  time  of  William  Penn's  arrival  in  his  colony,  and 


KEGROES  AND  SLAVERY. 


329 


for  many  years  previous,  both  the  English  and  Dutch  were 
actively  engaged  in  the  African  slave-trade,  rendered  doubly 
lucrative  by  the  great  demand  for  laborers  in  the  colonies. 
By  these  means  slavery  had  already  been  extensively  intro- 
duced into  the  European  settlements  south  of  Rhode  Island. 

Moreover,  the  African  slave-trade  was  now  under  the  spe- 
cial patronage  and  protection  of  the  British  government,  while 
William  Penn  was  not  invested  with  any  power  to  interdict  the 
importation  of  slaves  within  his  territorial  jurisdiction,  as  the 
subsequent  history  will  show. 

The  practice  was  then  common,  for  the  settlers  to  purchase 
"  redensptioners"  as  servants,  and  to  hold  them  for  a  term 
sufficient  to  remunerate  themselves  for  the  price  paid  for  bring- 
ing them  from  Europe.  Viewing  the  destitute  condition  of 
those  pauper  immigrants,  just  oif  ship,  after  a  tedious  voyage, 
it  was  no  doubt  felt  to  be  an  act  of  Christian  philanthropy, 
thus  to  give  them  an  opportunity  of  working  out  their  own 
freedom.  And  it  is  quite  rational  to  suppose  that  Friends, 
seeing  the  much  more  wretched  condition  of  the  imported 
Africans,  were  sometimes  prompted  by  the  same  benevolent 
feelings  to  purchase  them.  This  supposition  is  strengthened 
by  the  well-known  fact,  that  Friends,  as  a  class,  always  used 
their  bondmen  with  more  humanity  than  most  others,  and  early 
manifested  a  concern  for  the  cultivation  of  their  moral  and 
religious  faculties.  Many  of  them,  like  Roger  Williams, 
thought  too,  that  after  serving  a  few  years,  the  negroes  ought 
to  have  their  freedom  ;  but  arbitrary  power  soon  becomes 
avaricious,  and  the  grasp  grows  tighter  the  longer  it  is  held. 

The  Christian  principles  promulgated  by  George  Fox  and 
his  coadjutors  fully  recognized  the  universal  brotherhood  of 
man,  and  his  equal  right  to  liberty,  without  regard  to  nation 
or  color.  Nor  did  they  allow  this  recognition  long  to  remain 
a  mere  inferential  deduction ;  for  in  the  year  1671,  George 
Fox  and  several  other  Friends  visited  the  Island  of  Barbadoes, 
where  they  first  saw  the  practical  working  of  negro  slavery. 
George  Fox  says  : — 


330 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


1671. — "  Respecting  their  negroes,  I  desired  them  to  en- 
deavor to  train  them  up  in  the  fear  of  God,  as  well  those  that 
were  bought  with  their  money,  as  those  that  were  born  in  their 
families,  that  all  might  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord. 
And  so  with  Joshua,  every  master  of  a  family  might  say,  As 
for  me  and  my  house,  we  will  serve  the  Lord.  I  desired  also 
that  they  would  cause  their  overseers  to  deal  mildly  and 
gently  with  their  negroes,  and  not  use  cruelty  towards  them, 
as  the  manner  of  some  hath  been  and  is  ;  and  that,  after  cer- 
tain years  of  servitude,  they  should  make  them  free." — (Fox's 
Works,  II,  113.) 

1675.  — "And  must  not  negroes  feel  and  partake  of 'the  lib- 
erty of  the  Gospel,  that  they  may  be  won  by  the  Gospel  ?  Is 
there  no  year  of  jubilee  for  them  ?  Did  not  God  make  us  all  of 
one  mould  ?"....  "  Christ's  command  is,  to  do  to 
others  as  we  would  have  them  do  to  us;  and  which  of  you 
would  have  the  blacks,  or  others,  to  make  you  their  slaves, 
without  hope  or  expectation  of  freedom  or  liberty  ?  Would  not 
this  be  an  aggravation  upon  your  minds  that  would  outbalance 
all  other  comforts  ?  So  make  their  condition  your  own  ;  for  a 
good  conscience,  void  of  offence,  is  of  more  worth  than  all  the 
world;  and  truth  must  regulate  all  wrongs." — (William  Ed- 
mondson's  Address.) 

Both  George  Fox,  in  1671,  and  William  Edmondson,  in 
1675,  held  negro  meetings  in  Barbadoes,  and  were  both  com- 
plained of,  that  "  making  the  negroes  Christians  would  make 
them  rebel." 

1676.  — "Recognizing  the  negroes  as  equal  objects  of  our 
heavenly  Father's  regard  with  themselves.  Friends  were  anxious 
to  bring  them  to  a  knowledge  of  that  glorious  redemption  which 
is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord,  and  invited  them  to  their  religious 
assemblies.  But  so  opposed  were  the  authorities  to  this  attempt 
to  impart  religious  truth  to  these  poor  oppressed  people,  that  in 
Barbadoes  they  actually  passed  an  act,  in  1676,  to  prevent  the 
people  called  Quakers  from  bringing  negroes  to  their  meetings, 


NEQllOES  AND  SLAVERY. 


331 


&c.  It  was  under  this  act  tliat  Ralph  Fretwcll  and  Richard 
Sutton,  the  former  of  whom  had  been  one  of  the  chief  judges 
of  the  island,  were  severally  fined  in  the  sum  of  eight  hundred 
pounds  and  three  hundred  pounds,  for  having  negro  meetings 
at  their  houses.  In  1680,  the  Governor  of  Barbadoes  inter- 
dicted Friends'  meetings  altogether ;  but  his  edict  not  being 
founded  on  any  act  or  statute,  was  extra-judicial,  and  of  no 
force." — (Bowden,  II,  191.) 

A  company,  called  "The  Free  Society  of  Traders,"  was 
formed  in  England  before  William  Penn  sailed  for  his  Colony, 
in  1682,  of  which  he  was  a  conspicuous  member;  one  article 
of  their  association  reads  : 

"  If  the  Society  should  receive  blacks  for  servants,  they  shall 
make  them  free  at  fourteen  years'  end,  upon  condition  that  they 
will  give  unto  the  Society's  warehouse  two-thirds  of  what  they  are 
capable  of  producing  on  such  a  parcel  of  land  as  shall  be 
allotted  to  them  by  the  Society,  with  stock  and  necessary  tools. 
And  if  they  will  not  accept  of  these  terms,  they  shall  be  ser- 
vants until  they  will  accept  of  it." — [them.] — (Watson's  An- 
nals, p.  480.) 

1684. — "  William  Dixon  havin":  a  mind  to  sell  a  negro  his 
freedom,  desires  this  meeting's  advice.  This  meeting  refers 
him  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  for  advice." — (Third  Haven  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

I  believe  there  was  then  a  law  in  Maryland  against  the  libe- 
ration of  slaves. 

In  1683,  a  company  of  Friends  arrived  from  Germany,  and 
settled  at  Germantown. 

"  These  unsophisticated  vine-dressers  and  corn-growers,  from 
the  Palatinate  of  the  Upper  Rhine,  the  converts  of  the  devoted 
William  Ames,  revolted  at  the  idea  of  good  men  buying  and 
selling  human  beings,  heirs  with  themselves  of  immortality. 


332 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


Faithful  to  their  convictions,  they  very  early  bore  an  uncompro- 
mising testimony  against  the  evil." — (Bowden.) 

While  those  honest  Germans  seem  to  have  had  a  special  mis- 
sion to  the  New  World,  the  execution  of  it  happily  led  them 
away  from  much  suffering  in  their  native  land. 

"  While  Y\' illiam  Ames  was  in  the  Palatinate,  in  1G59,  he 
became  acquainted  with  the  Baptists  at  Criesheim ;  and  among 
those  people  he  found  such  entrance,  that  some  families,  receiv- 
ing the  doctrines  he  preached,  bore  a  public  testimony  for  it 
there,  and  so  continued  until  the  settlement  of  Pennsylvania  in 
America,  Avhen  they  unanimously  went  thither.  Not,  as  it 
seemed,  without  a  singular  direction  of  Providence  ;  for  not 
long  after  a  war  ensued  in  Germany,  where  the  Palatinate  Avas 
altogether  laid  waste  hy  the  French,  and  thousands  of  people 
were  bereft  of  their  possessions  and  reduced  to  poverty." — 
(Sewell,  I,  349.) 

1688.— This  is  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  held  at  Richard 
Worrall's : — 

"  These  are  the  reasons  why  we  are  against  the  traffic  in  man 
body,  as  followeth : — Is  there  any  that  would  be  done  or 
handled  in  this  manner,  viz. :  to  be  sold,  or  made  a  slave,  for 
all  the  time  of  his  life?  How  fearful  and  faint-hearted  are 
many  at  sea,  when  they  see  a  strange  vessel,  being  afraid  it 
should  be  a  Turk,  and  they  should  be  taken  and  sold  for  slaves 
in  Turkey !  Now  what  is  this  better  than  Turks  do  ?  Yea, 
rather  it  is  worse  for  them  which  say  that  they  are  Christians, 
for  we  hear  that  most  part  of  such  negroes  are  brought  hither 
against  their  will  and  consent,  and  that  many  of  them  are 
stolen.  Now,  though  they  are  black,  we  cannot  conceive  that 
there  is  more  liberty  to  have  them  slaves,  as  it  is  to  have  other 
white  ones.  There  is  a  saying,  that  we  shall  do  to  all  men  like 
as  we  will  be  done  ourselves,  making  no  difference  what  genera- 
tion, descent,  or  color  they  are.  And  those  who  steal  and  rob 
men,  and  those  who  buy  or  purchase  them,  are  they  not  all 
alike  ?    Here  [in  Pennsylvania]  is  liberty  of  conscience,  which 


KEGROES  AND  SLAVERY. 


333 


is  right  and  reasonable  ;  here,  likewise,  ought  to  be  liberty  of 
the  body,  except  of  evil-doers,  which  is  another  case.  But  to 
bring  men  hither,  or  to  rob  or  sell  them,  against  their  -wills,  we 
stand  against.  In  Europe  there  are  many  oppressed  for  con- 
science sake,  and  here  are  many  oppressed  who  are  of  a  dark 
color. 

"And  we  know  that  men  must  not  commit  adultery  ; — some 
do  commit  adultery  in  others,  separating  wives  from  their  hus- 
bands, and  giving  them  to  others  ;  and  some  sell  the  children 
of  these  poor  creatures  to  other  men.  Ah !  do  consider  well 
this  thing,  you  who  do  it,  if  you  would  be  done  at  this  man- 
ner, and  if  it  is  done  according  to  Christianity.  You  surpass 
Holland  and  Germany  in  this  thing.  This  makes  an  ill  report 
in  all  those  countries  of  Europe  where  they  hear  of ; — that 
the  Quakers  do  here  handle  men  as  they  handle  there  the 
cattle ;  and,  for  that  reason,  some  have  no  mind  or  inclina- 
tion to  come  hither.  And  who  shall  maintain  this  your  cause, 
and  plead  for  it  ?  Truly  we  cannot  do  so,  except  you  shall 
inform  us  better  hereof,  viz.,  that  Christians  have  liberty  to 
practice  these  things.  Pray,  what  tiling  in  the  world  can  be 
done  worse  towards  us  than  if  men  should  rob  or  steal  us  away, 
and  sell  us  for  slaves  to  strange  countries,  separating  husbands 
from  their  wives  and  children.  Being  now  this  is  not  done  in 
the  manner  we  would  be  done  at ;  therefore  we  contradict  and 
are  against  this  traffic  in  men  body. 

"  And  we  who  profess  that  it  is  not  lawful  to  steal,  must 
likewise  avoid  to  purchase  such  things  as  are  stolen ;  but 
rather  help  to  stop  this  robbing  and  stealing,  if  possible. 
And  such  men  ought  to  be  delivered  out  of  the  hands  of  the 
robbers,  and  set  free  as  in  Europe.  Then  is  Pennsylvania  to 
have  a  good  report.  Instead,  it  hath  now  a  bad  one,  for  this 
sake,  in  other  countries  ;  especially,  whereas  the  Europeans 
are  desirous  to  know  in  what  manner  the  Quakers  do  rule  in 
this  province  ;  and  most  of  them  do  look  upon  us  with  an 
envious  eye.  But,  if  this  is  done  well,  what  shall  we  say  is 
done  evil  ? 

"  If  once  these  slaves  (which  they  say  are  so  wicked  and 


334 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


Stubborn  men)  should  join  themselves,  fight  for  then-  freedom, 
and  handle  their  masters  and  mistresses,  as  they  did  handle 
them  before,  will  these  masters  and  mistresses  take  the  sword 
at  hand  and  war  against  these  poor  slaves,  as  we  are  able  to 
believe  some  will  not  refuse  to  do  ?  Or,  have  these  negroes  not 
as  much  right  to  fight  for  their  freedom  as  you  have  to  keep 
them  slaves  ? 

"  Now,  consider  well  these  things,  if  it  be  good  or  bad. 
And,  in  case  you  find  it  good  to  handle  these  blacks  in  this 
manner,  we  desire,  and  require  you  hereby,  lovingly,  that  you 
may  inform  us  herein  ;  which,  at  this  time,  never  was  done,  viz., 
that  Christians  have  such  a  liberty  to  do  so  :  to  the  end  that 
we  shall  be  satisfied  in  this  point,  and  satisfy  likewise  our 
good  Friends  and  acquaintances  in  our  native  country,  to 
whom  it  is  a  terror,  or  fearful  thing,  that  men  should  be 
handled  so  in  Pennsylvania. 

"  This  is  from  our  meeting  at  Germantown,  held  the  18th 
of  the  second  month,  1688  ;  to  be  delivered  to  the  Monthly 
Meeting  at  Richard  Worrall's. 

"  Garret  Hendricks, 
"  Derrick  Up  de  Graeff, 
"  Francis  Daniell  Pastorius, 
"  Abraham  Jun  Den  Graeff." 

(Friend,  1844.) 

1688. — "At  our  Monthly  Meeting  at  Dublin  [Richard 
Worrall's]  the  30th  of  the  second  month,  1688. 

"We  having  inspected  the  matter  above  mentioned  and  con- 
sidered of  it,  we  find  it  so  weighty  that  we  think  it  not  expe- 
dient for  us  to  meddle  with  it  here ;  but  do  rather  commit  it  to 
the  consideration  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  the  tenor  of  it 
being  nearly  related  to  the  Truth. 

"  Signed,  on  behalf  of  the  Monthly  Meeting, 

"John  Hart." 

1688. — "  This,  above  mentioned,  was  read  in  our  Quarterly 
Meeting  at  Philadelphia  the  4th  of  the  fourth  month,  1688, 
and  was  from  thence  recommended  to  the  Yearly  Meeting; 
and  the  above  said  Derrick,  and  the  others  mentioned  therein, 


NEGROES  AND  SLAVERY. 


335 


to  present  the  same  to  the  ahove  said  meeting ;  it  being  a 
thing  of  too  great  weight  for  this  meeting  to  determine. 

"  Signed,  by  order  of  the  meeting, 

.   "  Anthony  Morris." 

1688. — "A  paper  was  presented  by  some  German  Friends 
concerning  the  lawfulness  and  unlawfulness  of  buying  and 
keeping  negroes.  It  was  adjudged  not  to  be  so  proper  for 
this  meeting  to  give  a  positive  judgment  in  the  case,  it  having 
so  general  a  relation  to  many  other  parts  ;  and,  therefore,  at 
present  they  forbear  it." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

I  cannot  repress  surprise  that  a  Yearly  Meeting,  composed 
of  Friends  of  high  standing,  should  have  shrunk  from  a  bold  and 
manly  co-operation  with  those  noble-hearted  Germans  ;  but, 
when  I  consider  their  faithfulness  in  other  matters, — enduring 
reproach,  persecution,  imprisonment,  expatriation,  and  even 
death,  for  the  discharge  of  manifested  duties, — it  would  be 
unreasonable  to  suppose  that  they  were  less  faithful  to  their 
known  duties  in  this  particular. 

Without  daring  more  closely  to  scrutinize  the  ways  of  Pro- 
vidence, I  am  led  to  the  conclusion  that  God,  who  has  declared 
that  he  will  teach  his  people  himself,  did  not  see  meet  to 
impose  the  burden  of  this  testimony  upon  them,  until,  by  the 
promulgation  and  acceptance  of  other  long-neglected  Christian 
truths,  the  minds  of  the  people  should  be  better  prepared  to 
receive  it ;  and  when  they  felt  the  burden  to  be  laid  upon  them, 
they  did  not  shrink  from  its  support.  Under  this  aspect  of 
the  case,  I  invite  the  reader's  attention  to  the  following  brief 
narrative. 

After  a  lapse  of  eight  years,  the  following  minute  occurs  : — 

1696. — "  Friends  are  advised  not  to  encourage  the  brinsrina: 
in  any  more  negroes ;  and  that  such  as  have  negroes  be  careful 
of  them,  bring  them  to  meetings,  have  meetings  with  them  in 
their  families,  and  restrain  them  from  loose  and  lewd  living,  as 
much  as  in  them  lies,  and  from  rambling  about  on  first-days 
and  other  days." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 


336 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


1700. — "  Our  dear  friend  and  Governor  having  laid  before 
this  meeting  a  concern  that  hath  laid  upon  his  mind  for  some 
time,  concerning  the  negroes  and  Indians :  that  Friends  ought 
to  be  very  careful  in  discharging  a  good  conscience  towards 
them  in  all  respects,  but  more  especially  for  the  good  of  their 
souls ;  and  that  they  might,  as  frequent  as  may  be,  come  to 
meetings  on  first-days.  Upon  consideration  wliereof,  this 
meeting  concludes  to  appoint  a  meeting  for  the  negroes,  to  be 
kept  once  a  month,  &c. ;  and  that  their  masters  give  notice 
thereof  in  their  families,  and  be  present  with  them  at  the  said 
meetings  as  frequent  as  may  be." — (Philadelphia  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

"At  the  same  time  he  introduced  a  bill  into  the  Assembly 
'  For  regulating  Negroes  in  their  Morals  and  Marriages ;'  also 
another,  'For  their  Trials  and  Punishments.'  The  former  was 
defeated  by  the  jealousies  then  in  the  House.  From  the  same 
causes  (jealousies),  an  act  of  more  security  was  substituted,  in 
1775,  against  the  negroes,  entitled,  'An  Act  for  the  Trial  and 
Punishment  of  Negroes.'  It  inflicted  lashes  for  petty  offences, 
and  death  for  crimes  of  magnitude.  They  were  not  allowed 
to  carry  a  gun  without  license,  or  be  whipped  twenty-one 
lashes  ;  nor  to  meet  more  than  four  together,  lest  they  might 
form  cabals  and  riots.  They  were  to  be  whipped  if  found 
abroad  after  nine  o'clock  at  night  without  a  pass,"  &c. — 
(Watson's  Annals,  p.  431.) 

Thus  early,  and  in  Pennsylvania,  did  the  infliction  of  wrong 
upon  the  helpless  and  unoffending  negro  create  feelings  of 
insecurity  for  fear  of  retaliation  ;  and  the  exercise  of  arbitrary 
power  had  so  steeled  the  heart  with  cruelty,  as  to  add  outrage 
to  wrong,  and  cause  the  infliction  of  severe  punishments  Avherc 
there  were  no  crimes. 

William  Penn,  in  common  with  many  other  Friends,  was 
led  to  become  a  slaveholder ;  and  it  continues  to  be  reiterated 
down  to  the  present  day,  that  he  died  in  the  possession  of 
slaves.  This  may  have  been  literally  true,  owing  to  some 
neglect  of  his  legal  representatives  ;  but  was  substantially 


NEGROES  AND  SLAVERY. 


337 


untrue,  as  has  been  repeatedly  proved.  Thus,  before  he  took 
a  final  leave  of  the  province,  in  1701,  he  executed  a  will,  in 
which  he  declared,  "  I  give  to  my  blacks  their  freedom,  as  is 
under  my  hand  already ;  and  to  old  Sam  one  hundred  acres, 
to  be  his  children's,  after  he  and  his  wife  are  dead,  forever." 
He  prudently  made  assurance  doubly  sure,  by  repeating  in  his 
will  what  he  had  "  already"  done  elsewhere ;  believing,  with 
the  wise  man,  that  "if  one  prevail  against  him,  two  shall  with- 
stand him,  and  a  threefold  cord  is  not  quickly  broken."  If 
his  purposes  failed,  it  was  the  fault  of  others.  (See  Janney's 
Life  of  Penn,  p.  488.) 

In  the  tobacco-growing  districts  of  Maryland,  slavery  took 
deeper  root,  and  Friends  partook  more  largely  of  the  evil. 

1702. — "  The  last  will  of  Alice  Kennersly  being  read  in  this 
meeting,  wherein  she  willed  her  negro  woman  Betty  and  her 
child  to  Daniel  Cox,  in  consideration  he  should  pay  twenty 
shillings  a  year,  for  the  full  term  of  thirty  years,  to  this  meet- 
ing, for  the  paying  of  travelling  Friends'  ferriage  in  Dorchester 
County,  or  what  other  occasions  Friends  may  see  meet,  Avhen 
said  negroes  are  delivered  to  D.  Cox ;  therefore,  this  meeting 
advises  D.  Cox  to  be  at  our  next  meeting,  to  answer  such 
questions  as  may  be  asked  him  concerning  premises." — (Third- 
haven  Monthly  Meeting.) 

Two  years  after,  Joseph  Kinnersly  was  appointed  receiver 
of  the  above  "  for  the  service  of  Truth."  A  strange  purpose 
to  which  to  apply  the  unrighteous  gain  of  oppression.  But 
the  good  seed  sown  by  the  honest  Germans  in  1688,  had  begun 
to  spring  up  in  1696,  and  now  showed  signs  of  producing  fruit. 

1705. — "As  early  as  the  year  1705,  a  duty  was  imposed 
on  the  importation  of  slaves,  by  the  Provincial  Assembly : 
this  was  renewed  in  1710.  In  1711,  they  struck  at  the  root 
of  the  evil,  by  forbidding  their  introduction  in  future;  but  the 
Privy  Council  in  England,  scandalized  by  such  liberal  policy, 
in  so  new  and  so  diminutive  a  community,  whilst  their  own 

22 


338 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


policy  was  to  cherish  shivery  in  so  many  colonies,  quashed  the 
act  in  an  instant.  The  Assembly,  not  daunted  by  such  a 
repulse,  again,  in  1712,  upon  petition  '  signed  by  many  hands,' 
aimed  at  the  same  eflfect,  by  assessing  the  large  sum  of  <£20  a 
head.  This  was  again  cancelled  by  the  same  trans-Atlantic 
policy.  When  the  petition  for  the  £20  duty  was  presented, 
another  was  offered,  in  the  name  of  William  Southby,  praying 
'for  the  total  abolition  of  slavery  in  Pennsylvania.'  " — (Wat- 
son's Annals,  p.  481.) 

The  Colonial  Legislature  was  thus  kept  under-  the  surveil- 
lance of  the  Home  Government,  and  their  philanthropic  inten- 
tions frustrated.  Not  so,  however,  the  Yearly  Meeting,  in  its 
efforts  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of  the  negro. 

1711.  — "The  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Chester  declare  their 
dissatisfaction  with  Friends  buying  and  encouraging  the  bring- 
ing in  of  negroes,  and  desires  the  care  of  this  meeting  concern- 
ing it.  .  .  .  Advised,  that  Friends  may  be  careful,  according 
to  a  former  minute  of  this  naeeting  (1696),  not  to  encourage 
the  bringing  in  any  more  ;  and  that  all  merchants  and  factors 
write  to  their  correspondents  to  discourage  them  from  sending 
any  more." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1712.  — "And  now,  dear  Friends,  we  impart  unto  you  a 
concern  that  hath  rested  on  the  minds  of  some  of  our  brethren 
for  many  years,  touching  the  importing  and  having  negro 
slaves,  and  detaining  them  and  their  posterity  as  such,  without 
any  limitation  or  time  of  redemption  from  that  condition.  This 
matter  was  laid  before  this  meeting  many  years  ago,  and  the 
thing  in  some  degree  discouraged,  as  may  appear  by  a  minute 
of  our  Yearly  Meeting,  1696 ;  .  .  .  .  yet,  notwithstanding,  as 
our  settlement  increased,  so  other  traders  flocked  in  among  us, 
over  whom  we  had  no  Gospel  authority ;  and  such  have  in- 
creased and  multiplied  negroes  among  us,  to  the  grief  of  divers 
Friends,  whom  we  are  willing  to  ease,  if  the  way  might  open 
clear  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  general.  And  it  being  last 
Yearly  Meeting  again  moved,  and  Friends  being  more  con- 


NEGROES  AND  SLAVERY. 


339 


cerned  with  negroes  in  divers  other  provinces  and  places  than 
in  these,  we  thouglit  it  ratlier  too  weiglity  to  come  to  a  conclu- 
sion therein.  This  meeting,  therefore,  desires  your  assistance, 
by  -way  of  counsel  and  advice  therein  ;  and  that  you  would  be 
pleased  to  take  the  matter  into  your  weighty  consideration 
(after  having  advised  with  Friends  of  the  other  American  pro- 
vinces), and  give  us  your  sense  and  advice  therein." — (Yearly 
Meeting  Epistle  to  London.) 

As  Friends  in  other  colonies,  Maryland,  Virginia,  kc,  were 
more  deeply  implicated  in  the  practice  of  slaveholding  than 
those  in  Pennsylvania,  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  London  likewise 
felt  it  "rather  too  weighty"  to  come  to  a  conclusion. 

1713.  — "  You  had  better  first  have  advised  with  other  plan- 
tations, and  so  have  stated  the  case  conjunctly;  for  want 
whereof  we  shall  say  the  less,  until  such  time  as  it  is  more 
generally  represented.  Only  this  we  think  meet  to  impart  to 
you  as  the  sense  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  that  the  importing 
them  from  their  native  country  by  Friends  is  not  a  commendable 
nor  allowable  practice  ;  and  we  hope  Friends  have  been  careful 
to  avoid  the  same,  remembering  the  command  of  our  blessed 
Lord,  '  Whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye 
even  so  to  them.'  " — (London  Yearly  Meeting  Epistle.) 

1714.  — "We  kindly  received  your  advice  about  negro  slaves; 
and  we  are  one  with  you,  that  the  multiplying  of  them  may  be 
of  dangerous  consequence ;  and  therefore  a  law  was  made  in 
Pennsylvania,  laying  a  duty  of  twenty  pounds  on  every  one 
imported  there ;  which  law  the  Queen  was  pleased  to  disan- 
nul."— (Yearly  Meeting  Epistle  to  London.) 

1715.  — "To  be  any  ways  concerned  in  bringing  negroes 
from  their  native  country,  and  selling  them  for  slaves,  is  a  trade 
not  fit  for  one  professing  Truth  to  be  concerned  in." — (London 
Epistle.) 

1715. — "  I  must  entreat  you  to  send  me  no  more  negroes 
for  sale,  for  our  people  don't  care  to  buy.  They  are  generally 
against  any  coming  into  the  country.    Few  people  care  to  buy 


340 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


them,  except  for  those  who  live  in  other  provinces." — (J.  Dick- 
inson, Watson's  Annals,  p.  482.) 

1715.  — "If  any  Friends  are  concerned  in  the  importation 
of  negroes,  let  them  be  dealt  with  and  advised  to  avoid  that 
practice,  according  to  the  sense  of  former  meetings  in  that 
hehalf ;  and  that  all  Friends  who  have  or  keep  negroes,  do  use 
and  treat  them  with  humanity  and  a  Christian  spirit ;  and  that 
all  do  forbear  judging  or  reflecting  on  one  another,  either  in 
public  or  private,  concerning  the  detaining  or  keeping  them 
servants." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

Chester  and  Newark  Monthly  Meetings  had  sent  to  Chester 
Quarter  their  "  dissatisfaction  with  Friends  being  concerned  in 
importing  and  buying  of  negroes ;"  but  neither  the  Quarterly 
nor  the  Yearly  Meeting  appeared  prepared  to  embrace  the 
intended  advance. 

The  following  year,  Chester  Quarter  again  brought  the  sub- 
ject up  ;  urging  that  "  the  buying  and  selling  gave  great  en- 
couragement to  the  bringing  of  them  in ;  and  that  no  Friends 
be  found  in  the  practice  of  buying  any  that  shall  be  imported 
hereafter." 

Although  this  was  no  more  than  a  recognition  of  the  axiom 
that  the  market  makes  the  traffic,  yet  Friends  of  Chester  were 
again  disappointed. 

1716.  — "  As  to  the  proposal  from  Chester  Meeting  about 
negroes,  there  being  no  more  in  it  than  was  proposed  to  last 
Yearly  Meeting,  this  meeting  cannot  see  any  better  conclusion 
than  what  was  the  judgment  of  the  last  meeting,  and  therefore 
do  confirm  the  same.  And  yet  in  condescension  to  such  Friends 
as  are  straitened  in  their  minds  against  the  holding  them,  it  is 
desired  that  Friends  do,  as  much  as  may  be,  avoid  buying  such 
negroes  as  shall  hereafter  be  brought  in,  rather  than  offend 
any  Friends  that  are  against  it.  Yet  this  is  only  caution  and 
not  censure." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

> 

After  this  decision  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  Bowden  says, 


NEGROES  AND  SLAVERY. 


341 


"No  further  notice  of  the  subject  appears  on  its  minutes  for 
the  space  of  ten  years."    But  we  find  in 

1710. — "Advised,  that  none  among  us  be  concerned  in  the 
fetching  or  importing  negro  slaves  from  their  own  country  or 
elsewhere ;  and  that  all  Friends  who  have  any  of  them,  do 
treat  them  with  humanity  and  in  a  Christian  manner,  and,  as 
much  as  in  them  lies,  make  them  acquainted  with  the  principles 
of  Truth,  and  inculcate  morality  in  them." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

It  appears  that  Indian  slaves  were  sometimes  brought  from 
Carolina  for  sale.  The  making  them  slaves  was  so  repug- 
nant to  the  policy  which  Friends  ever  pursued  towards  the 
Indians,  that  in  the  year  1719,  the  Yearly  Meeting  recommended 

1710. — "To  avoid  giving  them  (the  Indians)  occasion  of 
discontent,  it  is  advised  that  Friends  do  not  buy  or  sell  Indian 
slaves." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

Friends  of  Chester  Quarter,  ever  true  to  their  purpose,  again 
appealed  to  the  Yearly  Meeting,  saying : — 

1720. — "  Inasmuch  as  we  are  restricted  by  a  rule  of  Disci- 
pline from  being  concerned  in  fetching  or  importing  negro 
slaves  from  their  own  country,  whether  it  is  not  as  reasonable 
that  we  should  be  restricted  from  buying  them  when  imported?" 
— (Chester  Quarterly  Meeting.) 

1730. — "  Friends  of  this  meeting,  resuming  the  consideration 
of  the  proposition  of  Chester  Meeting,  relating  to  the  purchas- 
ing of  such  negroes  as  may  hereafter  be  imported,  and  having 
reviewed  and  considered  the  former  minutes  relating  thereto, 
and  having  maturely  deliberated  thereon,  are  now  of  opinion 
that  Friends  ought  to  be  very  cautious  of  making  any  such 
purchases  for  the  future,  it  being  disagreeable  to  the  sense  of 
this  meeting.  And  this  meeting  recommends  it  to  the  care  of 
the  several  Monthly  Meetings,  to  see  that  such  who  may  be,  or 


342 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


are  likely  to  be,  found  in  that  practice,  may  be  admonished  and 
cautioned  how  they  offend  herein." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

These  advices  were  repeated  every  succeeding  year,  except 
one,  until  1743,  and  Quarterly  Meetings  enjoined  to  report 
their  attention  thereto.  In  the  year  last  named,  the  following 
Query,  with  others,  was  addressed  to  the  subordinate  meetings. 

1743. — "  Do  Friends  observe  the  former  advices  of  our 
Yearly  Meeting,  not  to  encourage  the  importation  of  negroes, 
nor  to  buy  tliem  after  imported  ?" — (See  Queries.) 

About  this  period  I  find  Ralph  Sandiford,*  Benjamin  Lay, 
Anthony  Benezet,  and  John  Woolman,  co-laborers  in  the  cause 
of  humanity. 

But  it  was  not  until  1754  that  the  latter  published  his  "  Con- 
siderations on  the  Keeping  of  Negroes." 

In  that  year  the  Yearly  Meeting  issued  the  following  epistle 
to  its  members,  supposed  to  have  emanated  from  the  pen  of 
Benezet,  and  affording  satisfactory  evidence  of  progress  in  the 
minds  of  Friends. 

1754. — "  Dear  Friends :  It  hath  frequently  been  the  con- 
cern of  our  Yearly  Meeting  to  testify  their  uneasiness  and 
disunity  with  the  importation  and  purchasing  of  negroes  and 
other  slaves,  and  to  direct  the  Overseers  of  the  several  Monthly 
Meetings  to  advise  and  deal  with  such  as  engage  therein.  And 
it  hath  likewise  been  the  continued  care  of  many  weighty 
Friends,  to  press  those  that  bear  our  name  to  guard  as  much 
as  possible  against  being  in  any  respect  concerned  in  promo- 
ting the  bondage  of  such  unhappy  people.  Yet,  as  we  have  with 
sorrow  to  observe  that  the  number  is  of  late  increased  among 

*  "  Kalm,  the  Swedish  traveller,  speaks  of  the  then  only  free  negroes  in 
Philadelphia,  in  1748,  as  having  been  manumitted  by  a  Quaker  master; 
probably  referring  to  Ralph  Sandiford,  who  freed  all  his  in  the  year  1733, 
and  probably  presented  to  us  the  first  instance  of  the  kind  known  in  our 
annals." — (Watson's  Annals,  p.  484.) 


NEGROES  AND  SLAVERY. 


343 


us,  we  have  thought  proper  to  make  our  advice  and  judgment 
more  public,  that  none  may  plead  ignorance  of  our  principles 
therein ;  and  also  again  earnestly  exhort  all  to  avoid  in  any 
manner  encouraging  the  practice  of  making  slaves  of  our  fellow- 
creatures. 

"  Now,  dear  Friends,  if  we  continually  bear  in  mind  the  royal 
'  law  of  doing  to  others  as  we  would  be  done  by,  we  shall  never 
think  of  bereaving  our  fellow-creatures  of  that  valuable  blessing 
liberty,  nor  endure  to  grow  rich  by  their  bondage.  To  live  in 
ease  and  plenty  by  the  toil  of  those  whom  violence  and  cruelty 
have  put  in  our  power,  is  neither  consistent  with  Christianity 
nor  common  justice,  and  we  have  good  reason  to  believe  draws 
down  the  displeasure  of  Heaven ;  it  being  a  melancholy  but 
true  reflection,  that  where  slave-keeping  prevails,  pure  religion 
and  sobriety  declines,  as  it  evidently  tends  to  harden  the  haart 
and  render  the  soul  less  susceptible  of  that  holy  spirit  of  love, 
meekness,  and  charity,  which  is  the  peculiar  character  of  a  true 
Christian. 

"How  then  can  we,  who  have  been  concerned  to  publish  the 
Gospel  of  universal  love  and  peace  among  mankind,  be  so  in- 
consistent wrth  ourselves  as  to  purchase  such  who  are  prisoners 
of  war,  and  thereby  encourage  this  unchristian  practice ;  and 
more  especially  as  many  of  those  poor  creatures  are  stolen 
away,  parents  from  children,  and  children  from  parents,  and 
others,  who  were  in  good  circumstances  in  their  native  country, 
inhumanly  torn  from  what  they  esteemed  a  happy  situation, 
and  compelled  to  toil  in  a  state  of  slavery,  too  often  extremely 
cruel  ?  What  dreadful  scenes  of  murder  and  cruelty  those 
barbarous  ravages  must  occasion  in  these  unhappy  people's 
country,  are  too  obvious  to  mention.  Let  us  make  their  case 
our  own,  and  consider  what  we  should  think,  and  how  we 
should  feel,  were  we  in  their  circumstances.  Remember  our 
blessed  Redeemer's  positive  command,  '  to  do  unto  others  as  we 
would  have  them  do  unto  us ;'  and  that  '  with  whit  measure 
we  mete,  it  shall  be  measured  to  us  again.'  And  we  entreat 
you  to  examine  whether  the  purchase  of  a  negro,  either  born 
here  or  imported,  does  not  contribute  to  a  further  importation, 


344 


IlETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


and  consequently  to  the  upholding  of  all  the  evils  above  men- 
tioned, and  promoting  man-stealing,  the  only  theft  which,  by 
the  Mosaic  law,  was  punished  with  death  ?  '  He  that  stealeth 
a  man  and  selleth  him,  or  if  he  be  found  in  his  hand,  he  shall 
surely  be  put  to  death.' 

"  The  characteristic  and  badge  of  a  true  Christian  is  love 
and  good  works;  our  Saviour's  whole  life  on  earth  was  one' 
continued  exercise  of  them.  '  Love  one  another  (says  he)  as  I 
have  loved  you.'  How  can  we  be  said  to  love  our  brethren, 
who  bring,  or  for  selfish  ends  keep  them  in  bondage  ?  Do  we 
act  consistent  with  this  noble  principle,  who  lay  such  heavy 
burdens  on  our  fellow-creatures  ?  Do  we  consider  that  they 
are  called,  and  sincerely  desire  that  they  may  become  heirs 
with  us  in  glory,  and  rejoice  in  the  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God, 
whilst  we  are  withholding  from  them  the  common  liberty  of 
mankind  ?  Or  can  the  Spirit  of  God,  by  which  we  have  always 
professed  to  be  led,  be  the  author  of  those  oppressive  measures  ? 
or  do  we  not  thereby  manifest  that  temporal  interest  hath  more 
influence  on  our  conduct  herein,  than  the  dictates  of  that  mer- 
ciful, holy,  and  unerring  guide  ? 

"And  we  likewise  earnestly  recommend  to  all  who  have 
slaves,  to  be  careful  to  come  up  in  the  performance  of  their 
duty  towards  them,  and  to  be  particularly  watchful  over  their 
own  hearts  ;  it  being  by  sorrowful  experience  remarkable,  that 
custom,  and  a  familiarity  with  evil  of  any  kind,  hath  a  ten- 
dency to  bias  the  judgment  and  deprave  the  mind. 

"  And  it  is  obvious,  that  the  future  welfare  of  these  poor 
slaves  who  are  now  in  bondage  is  generally  too  much  disregarded 
by  those  who  keep  them.  If  their  daily  task  of  labor  be  but  ful- 
filled, little  else  perhaps  is  thought  of.  Nay,  even  that  which 
in  others  would  be  looked  upon  with  horror  and  detestation,  is 
little  regarded  in  them  by  their  masters,  such  as  the  frequent 
separation  of  husbands  from  wives  and  wives  from  husbands, 
whereby  they  are  tempted  to  break  their  marriage  covenants 
and  live  in  adultery,  in  direct  opposition  to  the  laws  both  of 
God  and  man,  although  we  believe  that  Christ  died  for  all  men, 
without  respect  of  persons.    How  fearful  then  ought  we  to  be 


NEGROES  AND  SLAVERY. 


345 


of  engaging  in  what  hath  so  natural  a  tendency  to  lessen  oui' 
humanity,  and  of  suffering  ourselves  to  be  inured  to  the  exer- 
cise of  hard  and  cruel  measures,  lest  thereby  we  in  any  degree 
lose  our  tender  and  feeling  sense  of  the  miseries  of  our  fellow- 
creatures,  and  become  worse  than  those  who  have  not  believed? 

"  And,  dear  Friends,  you  who  by  inheritance  have  slaves 
born  in  your  families,  we  beseech  you  to  consider  them  as  souls 
committed  to  your  trust,  whom  the  Lord  will  require  at  your 
hands,  and  who,  as  well  as  3'ou,  are  made  partakers  of  the 
Spirit  of  Grace,  and  called  to  be  heirs  of  salvation.  And  let 
it  be  your  constant  care  to  Avatch  over  them  for  good,  instruct- 
ing them  in  the  fear  of  God  and  the  knowledge  of  the  Gospel 
of  Christ,  that  they  may  answer  the  end  of  their  creation,  and 
God  be  honored  and  glorified  by  them  as  well  as  by  us ;  and 
so  train  them  up,  that  if  you  should  come  to  behold  their  un- 
happy situation  in  the  same  light  which  many  worthy  men 
who  are  at  rest  have  done,  and  many  of  your  brethren  now  do, 
and  should  think  it  your  duty  to  set  them  free,  they  may  be 
the  more  capable  of  making  a  proper  use  of  their  liberty. 

"  Finally,  brethren,  we  entreat  you  in  the  bowels  of  Gospel 
love,  seriously  to  weigh  the  cause  of  detaining  them  in  bond- 
age. If  it  be  for  your  own  private  gain,  or  any  other  motive 
than  their  good,  it  is  much  to  be  feared  that  the  love  of  God, 
and  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  is  not  the  prevailing 
principle  in  you,  and  that  your  hearts  are  not  sufficiently 
redeemed  from  the  world,  Avhich  that  you  with  ourselves  may 
come  more  and  more  to  witness,  through  the  cleansing  virtue 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  of  Jesus  Christ,  is  our  earnest  desire." — 
(Yearly  Meeting.) 

1755. — "  The  consideration  of  the  inconsistency  of  the 
practice  of  being  concerned  in  importing  or  buying  slaves 
with  our  Christian  principles,  being  Aveightily  revived,  and 
impressed  by  very  suitable  advice  and  caution  given  on  the 
occasion,  it  is  the  sense  and  judgment  of  this  meeting,  that 
where  any  transgress  this  rule  of  our  Discipline,  the  overseers 
ought  speedily  to  inform  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  such  trans- 
gressors, in  order  that  the  meeting  may  proceed  to  treat 


346 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


further  with  them,  as  they  may  be  directed  in  the  wisdom  of 
Truth."— (Yearly  Meeting.) 

On  a  revision  of  the  queries  this  year,  the  following  was 
adopted  in  place  of  the  one  already  given  : — 

1755. — "Are  Friends  clear  of  importing  or  buying  negroes? 
and  do  they  use  those  well  which  they  are  possessed  of  by  in- 
heritance, or  otherwise,  endeavoring  to  train  them  up  in  the 
principles  of  the  Christian  religion?" — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1757.  — "All  clear  of  importing  negroes  or  purchasing  them 
for  term  of  life;  several  have  been  purchased  for  a  term  of 
years.  They  are  generally  well  fed  and  clothed  ;  some  are 
taught  to  read  and  taken  to  meetings  ;  but  others  are  taken 
little  care  of  in  those  respects." — (Burlington  Monthly  Meet- 
ing.) 

1758.  — "  There  appears  a  unanimous  concern  prevailing,  to 
put  a  stop  to  the  increase  of  the  practice  of  importing,  buy- 
ing, selling,  or  keeping  slaves  for  term  of  life.  .  .  .  This 
meeting  very  earnestly  and  aifectionately  entreats  Friends,  in- 
dividually, to  consider  seriously  the  present  circumstances  of 
this  and  the  adjacent  provinces,  which,  by  the  permission  of 
Divine  Providence,  have  been  visited  by  the  desolating  cala- 
mities of  war  and  bloodshed,  so  that  many  of  our  fellow-sub- 
jects are  now  suffering  in  captivity ;  and  fervently  desire 
that,  excluding  temporal  considerations  or  views  of  self- 
interest,  we  may  manifest  an  humbling  sense  of  these  judg- 
ments, and,  in  thankfulness  for  the  peculiar  favor  extended 
and  continued  to  our  Friends  and  brethren  in  profession,  none 
of  whom,  as  we  have  yet  heard,  have  been  slain  or  carried 
into  captivity,  would  steadily  observe  the  injunction  of  our 
Lord  and  Master,  '  to  do  unto  others  as  we  would  they  should 
do  unto  us ;'  which,  it  now  appears  to  this  meeting,  would  in- 
duce such  Friends  to  set  them  at  liberty,  making  a  Christian 
provision  for  them,  according  to  age,  &c. 

"  And,  in  order  that  Friends  may  generally  be  excited  to 
the  practice  of  this  advice,  some  Friends  here  now  signified  to 


NEGROES  AND  SLAVERY. 


347 


the  meeting  their  being  so  fully  devoted  to  endeavor  to  render 
it  eflectual,  that  they  are  Avilling  to  visit  and  treat  with  all 
such  Friends  who  have  any  slaves.  The  meeting  therefore  ap- 
proves of  John  Woolman,  John  Churchman,  John  Scarborough, 
John  Sykes,  and  Daniel  Stanton  undertaking  that  service  ; 
and  desires  some  elders  or  other  faithful  Friends  in  each  quar- 
ter to  accompany  and  assist  them  therein.  And  that  they 
may  proceed  in  the  wisdom  of  Truth,  and  thereby  be  qualified 
to  administer  such  advice  as  may  be  suitable  to  the  circum- 
stances of  those  they  visit,  and  most  effectual  towards  ob- 
taining that  purity  which  it  is  evidently  our  duty  to  press 
after. 

"  And  if,  after  the  sense  and  judgment  of  this  meeting  now 
given  against  every  branch  of  this  practice,  any  professing 
with  us  should  persist  to  vindicate  it,  and  be  concerned  in  im- 
porting, selling,  or  purchasing  slaves,  the  respective  Monthly 
Meetings  to  which  they  belong  should  manifest  their  disunion 
with  such  persons,  by  refusing  to  permit  them  to  sit  in  Meetings 
for  Discipline,  or  to  be  employed  in  the  affairs  of  Truth,  or  to 
receive  from  them  any  contributions  towards  the  relief  of  the 
poor,  or  other  services  of  the  meeting." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

Much  exercise  and  labor  continued  to  be  bestowed  from 
year  to  year,  both  by  the  Yearly  Meeting  and  its  subordinate 
branches,  which  we  cannot  find  room  to  notice. 

1762. — "  The  Friends  appointed  to  visit  such  who  are  pos- 
sessed of  negro  slaves,  reported  that  they  proceeded  therein  as 
they  found  a  qualification  for  the  service  ;  and,  finding  the 
concern  to  spread  among  many  brethren,  they  now  apprehend 
themselves  released  from  the  appointment,  and  request  to  be 
discharged." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1770. — "Friends  having  been  favored  with  a  time  of  much 
calmness  and  brotherly  tenderness  towards  each  other,  it  ap- 
pears to  be  the  solid  sense  and  judgment  of  this  meeting  that, 
in  future,  Friends  be  careful  to  avoid  appointing  such  Friends 
to  the  station  of  elders  as  are  in  possession  of  negro  slaves,  and 


348 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


do  not  appear  to  have  a  testimony  in  their  hearts  against  the 
practice  of  slave-keeping." — (Thirdhaven  Yearly  Meeting.) 

1773.  _"The  clerk  "was  directed  to  transcribe  the  following 

o 

paragraph  from  the  London  Epistle,  to  sign  it  on  behalf  of  this 
meeting,  and  to  communicate  it  to  one  or  more  members  of  the 
Upper  and  Lower  Houses  of  Assembly,  viz. : — 

"  'Dear  Friends:  It  is  a  matter  of  satisfaction  to  us  that 
one  of  your  neighboring  colonies  hath  lately  applied  to  govern- 
ment for  aid  to  suppress  the  importation  of  negro  slaves,  as 
injurious  to  her  commercial  interests.  When  commercial  con- 
siderations coincide  with  humanity,  there  is  good  ground  to 
expect  a  reformation  respecting  this  long  complained  of  viola- 
tion of  the  laws  of  nature, — this  custom,  founded  on  oppres- 
sion, which  arguments  drawn  from  the  remotest  antiquity  can 
never  justify.  If  you  reflect  that  negroes  have  the  same  natural 
rights  with  yourselves,  and  that  they  stand  in  the  same  relation 
to  the  Supreme  Being  that  you  do, — the  consideration  of  your 
duty  as  Christians,  and  the  feelings  of  your  minds  as  men,  we 
hope,  will  induce  you  to  concur  with  a  sister  colony  in  en- 
deavoring to  abolish  a  custom,  which  is  one  continued  violation 
of  the  laws  of  justice  and  of  the  principles  of  our  holy  reli- 
gion.' " — (Thirdhaven  Yearly  Meeting.) 

1774.  — "Agreeably  to  appointment,  we  have  weightily  con- 
sidered the  sorrowful  subject  committed  to  us,  and  many  breth- 
ren having  an  opportunity  of  freely  communicating  their  sen- 
timents thereon,  after  a  solid  conference,  find  there  is  a  painful 
exercise  attending  the  minds  of  Friends,  and  a  general  concern 
prevailing,  that  our  Christian  testimony  may  be  more  exten- 
sively held  forth  against  the  unrighteous  practice  of  enslaving 
our  fellow-creatures ;  to  promote  which,  it  is  our  sense  and 
judgment,  that  such  professors  among  us,  who  are  or  shall  be 
concerned  in  importing,  selling,  or  purchasing,  or  shall  give 
away  or  transfer  any  negro  or  other  slave,  with  or  without  any 
other  consideration  than  to  clear  their  estate  of  any  future 
incumbrance,  or  in  such  manner  as  that  their  bondage  shall  be 
continued  beyond  the  time  limited  by  law  or  custom  for  white 
persons,  and  such  members  who  accept  of  such  gifts  or  assign- 


NEGROES  AND  SLAVERY. 


349 


ments,  ought  to  be  speedily  treated  with  in  the  spirit  of  true 
love  and  wisdom,  and  the  iniquity  of  their  conduct  laid  before 
them  ;  and  if,  after  this  Christian  labor,  they  cannot  be  brought 
to  such  a  sense  of  their  injustice  as  to  do  everything  which  the 
Monthly  Meeting  shall  judge  to  be  reasonable  and  necessary 
for  the  restoring  such  slave  to  his  or  her  natural  and  just  right 
to  liberty,  and  condemn  their  deviation  from  the  law  of  right- 
eousness and  equity,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  said  meeting,  that 
such  members  be  testified  against  as  other  transgressors  are, 
by  the  rules  of  our  Discipline,  for  other  immoral,  unjust,  and 
reproachful  conduct. 

"  And,  having  deliberately  weighed  and  considered  that 
many  slaves  are  possessed  and  detained  in  bondage  by  divers 
members  of  our  religious  Society,  towards  whom  labor  has  been 
extended,  but  being  apprehensive  that  a  Christian  duty  hath 
not  been  so  fully  discharged  to  them  as  their  various  circum- 
stances appear  to  require,  we  think  it  expedient  that  the  Quar- 
terly Meetings  should  be  earnestly  advised  and  enjoined  to 
unite  with  their  Monthly  Meetings  in  a  speedy  and  close  labor 
with  such  members ;  and  where  it  shall  appear  that  any,  from 
views  of  temporal  gain,  cannot  be  prevailed  with  to  release 
from  captivity  such  slaves  as  shall  be  found  suitable  for  liberty, 
but  detain  them  in  bondage,  without  such  reasons  as  shall  be 
sufficient  and  satisfactory,  the  cases  of  such  should  be  brought 
forward  to  the  next  Yearly  Meeting  for  consideration,  and  such 
further  direction  as  may  be  judged  necessary  ;  and,  in  the 
mean  time,  we  think  such  persons  ought  not  to  be  employed  in 
the  service  of  Truth, 

"  And  having  grounds  to  conclude  that  there  are  some  breth- 
ren who  have  these  poor  creatures  under  their  care,  and  are 
desirous  to  be  wisely  directed  in  restoring  them  to  liberty, 
Friends  who  may  be  appointed  by  Quarterly  and  Monthly 
Meetings  on  the  service  now  proposed,  are  earnestly  desii-ed  to 
give  their  weighty  and  solid  attention  for  the  assistance  of  such 
who  are  thus  honestly  and  religiously  concerned  for  their  own 
relief  and  the  essential  benefit  of  the  negro. 

"  And  in  families  where  there  are  young  ones,  or  others  of 


350 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


suitable  age,  that  they  excite  the  masters,  or  those  who  have 
them,  to  give  them  sufficient  instruction  and  learning,  in  order 
to  qualify  them  for  the  liberty  intended ;  and  that  they  be 
instructed  by  themselves,  or  placed  out  to  such  masters  and 
mistresses  who  will  be  careful  of  their  religious  education,  to 
serve  for  such  time,  and  no  longer,  as  is  prescribed  by  law  and 
custom,  for  white  people." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  same  minute  advises  against  the  hiring  of  slaves,  and 
serving  as  executors  or  administrators  to  estates  where  there 
are  slaves  to  be  disposed  of. 

1776. — "  Under  the  calming  influence  of  pure  love,  we  do 
with  great  unanimity  give  it  as  our  sense  and  judgment,  that 
Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meetings  should  still  speedily  unite  in 
further  close  labor  with  all  such  as  are  slaveholders,  and  have 
any  right  of  membership  among  us ;  and  where  any  members 
continue  to  reject  the  advice  of  their  brethren,  and  refuse  to 
execute  proper  instruments  of  writing,  for  releasing  from  a  state 
of  slavery  such  as  are  in  their  power,  or  on  whom  they  have 
any  claim,  whether  arrived  at  full  age  or  in  their  minority,  and 
no  hope  of  the  continuance  of  Friends'  labor  being  profitable 
to  them,  that  Monthly  Meetings,  after  having  discharged  a 
Christian  duty  to  such,  testify  their  disunity  with  them. 

"It  is  recommended  that  the  manumissions  already  executed, 
and  such  as  may  hereafter  be  executed  for  slaves  set  at  liberty, 
should  be  carefully  recorded  in  a  book  provided  for  that  pur- 
pose, in  each  Monthly  Meeting." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1776. — "The  committee  on  the  subject  of  negroes,  &c.,  now 
I'eport,  ....  That  a  considerable  number  have  freely 
manumitted  their  negroes  by  deeds  duly  executed,  to  take  effect 
immediately,  or  when  they  come  to  a  proper  age,  in  the  mean 
time  engaging  to  take  care  of  their  education.  And  several 
show  a  good  disposition  to  do  the  like  ;  so  that  the  number  who 
hold  back,  and  neglect  taking  the  advice  of  Friends,  are  com- 
paratively small,  which  gives  us  an  encouraging  hope  that  a 
continuance  of  labor,  in  the  meekness  and  life  of  truth,  as 


NEGROES  AND  SLAVERY. 


351 


ability  may  be  afforded,  will  in  time  clear  us  of  holding  any  of 
that  oppressed  people  as  slaves,"  &c. — (Burlington  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

In  this  year  the  Yearly  Meeting  again  made  an  alteration  in 
the  query,  to  suit  the  advanced  condition  of  the  testimony  em- 
braced by  it. 

1776.  — "Are  Friends  clear  of  importing,  purchasing,  dispos- 
ing of,  or  holding  mankind  as  slaves;  and  do  they  use  those 
well  who  are  set  free,  and  are  necessarily  under  their  care,  and 
not  in  circumstances,  through  nonage,  or  incapacity  to  minister 
to  their  own  necessities  ?  Are  they  careful  to  educate  and 
encourage  them  in  a  religious  and  virtuous  life?" — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

1777.  — "  Our  testimony  against  slavery  appears  to  grow  and 
afford  encouragement;  as  by  accounts  brought  to  this  meeting, 
seventy  manumissions  have  been  handed  in  to  the  several 
Monthly  Meetings,  to  be  recorded,  since  last  year." — (Third- 
haven  Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  Monthly  Meeting  of  Thirdhaven  records  several  manu- 
missions in  the  years  1777  and  1778, — thus : 

S.  &  M.  Roland,      ...  2 

Sarah  Register,        ...  2 

Magdalen  Kemp,     ...  2 

John  Kemp,    ....  2 

Samuel  Har^ood,     ...  6 

S.  Register,    ....  3 

James  Turner,         ...  1 

John  Jenkinson,       ...  2 

Elizabeth  Powell,     .       .       .  4 

D.  Wilson,      ....  2 

Solomon  Neal,         ...  1 

James  Berry,  ....  9 — 36 
and  Aaron  Parrott  and  Peter  Webb  were  disowned  for  refusing 
to  manumit  their  slaves. — (See  Record.) 


352 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


1778. — "  It  is  recommended  to  Friends  in  tlieir  several 
Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meetings,  seriously  to  consider  the 
circumstances  of  these  poor  people,  and  the  obligations  we  are 
under  to  discharge  our  religious  duty  to  them ;  which,  being 
disinterestedly  pursued,  will  lead  the  professors  of  Truth  to 
advise  and  assist  them  on  all  occasions,  particularly  in  pro- 
moting their  instruction  in  the  principles  of  the  Christian 
religion,  and  the  pious  education  of  their  children ;  and  also 
to  advise  them  in  respect  to  their  engagements  in  worldly 
concerns,  as  occasion  offers.  And  it  is  desired  that  Friends 
of  judgment  and  experience  may  be  nominated  for  this  neces- 
sary service  ;  it  being  the  solid  sense  of  this  meeting,  that  we 
of  the  present  generation  are  under  strong  obligations  to  mani- 
fest our  concern  and  care  for  the  offspring  of  those  people, 
who,  by  their  labor,  have  greatly  contributed  towards  the 
cultivation  of  several  of  these  colonies,  under  the  affecting 
disadvantages  of  enduring  a  hard  bondage  ;  and  many  among 
us  are  enjoying  the  benefit  of  their  toil." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1778.  — "  Our  ancient  Friend  Joshua  Johnson,  having  lately 
deposited  a  sum  of  money  in  the  hands  of  Robert  Johnson  and 
John  Chambers,  in  trust,  for  the  benefit  of  the  heirs  of  Samp- 
son, a  negro  who  served  him  in  a  state  of  bondage  for  several 
years  after  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  for 
which  service  a  considerable  part  of  the  said  sum  is  intended 
as  a  compensation, — and  as  the  instrument  of  writing,  executed 
by  the  said  Joshua  Johnson  and  the  said  trustees  respecting 
the  same,  directs  that  the  application  thereof  is  to  be  with  the 
consent  of  three  or  more  Friends  of  Fliis  meeting, — Benjamin 
Mason,  Daniel  Thompson,  and  Joshua  Pusey,  are  appointed 
for  that  service." — (New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1779.  — "  Thomas  Wood  mentioned  to  this  meeting,  that  he 
has  felt  uneasiness  of  mind  for  some  time  past,  concerning  the 
situation  of  a  negro  man  who  was  some  years  ago  possessed 
by  his  father,  and  was  by  him  set  free,  on  condition  of  laying 
up  a  small  sum  yearly,  which  has  arose  to  a  considerable  sum, 
and  is  now  mostly  under  the  care  of  the  said  Thomas ;  which, 
together  with  the  negro's  services  after  he  was  twenty-one 


NEGROES  AND  SLAVERY. 


353 


years  of  age,  causes  the  uneasiness.  On  consideration  of  the 
case,  Thomas  Woodward,  Thomas  Millhouse,  William  Miller, 
Ellis  Pusey,  and  John  Sharpless,  -were  appointed  to  advise  and 
assist  in  the  case,  as  may  appear  best  for  him, — the  negro's 
benefit, — and  the  reputation  of  our  religious  Society." 

Report :  ..."  Having  carefully  inquired  into  the  circum- 
stances, do  find  that  William  Wood  did,  about  sixteen  years 
ago,  set  free  from  a  state  of  slavery  the  said  negro,  named 
Caesar,  on  consideration  that  he  would  behave  himself  indus- 
triously and  honestly,  and  also  that  he  would  lay  up  or  deposit 
in  his,  or  some  safe  hand,  the  sum  of  three  pounds  yearly,  that 
in  case  he  should  be  sick  or  lame,  he  might  not  be  chargeable 
to  his  said  master's  estate ;  and,  in  consequence  of  said  con- 
dition, the  said  Caesar  has  laid  up  forty-two  pounds,  which 
appears  to  us  to-  be  his  just  property ;  and  all  the  heirs  of 
William  Wood  who  are  arrived  at  full  age  (except  one,  who 
resides  in  Virginia)  cheerfully  agreed  to  let  him  have  it.  But 
as  the  said  Csesar.  informed  us  that  he  had  no  present  neces- 
sity or  use  for  the  money,  he  agreed  to  have  it  deposited  in 
the  hands  of  Joshua  Pusey,  and  proposed  to  advise  with  him  on 
any  occasion  of  applying  it ;  with  which  this  meeting  is  well 
satisfied. 

"  It  also  further  appears  that  the  said  Coesar  served  his 
said  master,  in  the  capacity  of  a  slave,  more  than  ten  years 
after  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age  ;  and  upon  a  careful  in- 
quiry we  find  that  he  was  tenderly  used  during  the  said  time, 
and  nursed  in  the  small-pox,  which  he  had  very  heavy,  and 
was  long  before  he  recovered  ;  so  that  we  have  reason  to  believe 
that  it  took  at  least  one  year  to  defray  the  expenses  thereof. 

"  These  things  the  said  Caesar  fully  acknowledges,  and 
further  informs,  that  his  said  master  allowed  him  sundry  privi- 
leges during  said  term,  whereby  he  made  for  himself  at  least 
five  pounds  a  year,  besides  being  well  clothed  and  accommo- 
dated. After  considering  the  circumstances  of  this  case,  we 
are  unanimously  of  the  mind  that  the  further  sum  of  five  pounds 
a  year,  for  the  nine  years  he  was  in  usual  health,  ought  yet  to 
be  allowed  him  out  of  said  estate,  which  the  heirs,  now  present 

23 


354 


RETROSPECT  OP  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


and  of  age,  also  agree  to.  And  it  is  agreed,  ^vith  Ccesar's  free 
consent,  to  bo  deposited  with  the  other  sum. 

"  Signed  on  behalf  of  the  committee, 

"  Thomas  Woodward." 
(New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 
1779. — "  Whereas  Thomas  Williamson,  in  order  to  obtain 
the  freedom  of  a  negro  woman  named  Ilagar  (which  he  some 
years  ago  sold  for  a  slave),  did  enter  bail  to  the  coiii't  for  thirty 
pounds,  to  be  paid  in  case  she  should  become  a  public  charge  ; 
and  as  there  now  appears  to  be  sixty  pounds  of  wages  due  to 
the  woman,  he  now  proposes  to  keep  thirty  pounds  of  the 
money  in  his  hands,  as  allowed  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting's 
committee,  which  this  meeting  agrees  to,  in  order  to  secure 
his  bail,  if  occasion  requires  it  ;  and  if  he  hath  no  occasion  to 
apply  it  to  the  use  intended  in  her  lifetime,  he  agrees  to  pay 
the  said  thirty  pounds,  at  her  death,  to  her  children,  if  then 
living,  or  the  survivors  of  them  ;  otherwise  as  she  may  see  cause 
to  dispose  of  it.  And  the  remaining  thirty-three  pounds,  the 
said  Thomas  agrees  to  pay  to  such  Friends  as  the  meeting  shall 
appoint  to  receive  it,  for  the  use  of  said  negro  woman.  Which 
proposal,  if  he  comply  with,  this  meeting  concludes  to  accept 
as  full  satisfaction  in  respect  to  that  affair." — (Concord  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

Cases  analogous  to  these  were  not  unfrequent  in  the  Monthly 
Meetings.  The  latter  case  was  in  the  Monthly  and  Quarterly 
Meeting  for  many  months  before  it  was  thus  disposed  of. 

The  following  report  will  illustrate  the  care  and  concern  of 
Friends,  as  recommended  by  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  1778, 
relative  to  the  free  and  liberated  negroes. 

1779. — "  We,  the  committee  of  men  and  women  appointed 
to  visit  the  free  negroes  as  recommended  by  our  last  Yearly 
Meeting,  report,  that  we,  in  company  with  part  of  the  Quarterly 
Meeting's  committee  appointed  for  the  like  purpose,  have  in 
our  measure  pretty  closely  attended  to  the  service,  in  visiting 
all  those  people  within  the  verge  of  our  meeting  (except  three 


NEGROES  AND  SLAVERY. 


355 


or  four  single  persons,  whose  circumstances  are  fully  adequate 
to  their  necessities,  and  they  escaped  our  visit  for  want  of  op- 
portunity), and  in  most  places  administered  such  counsel  and 
advice  as  vvc  were  enabled  to  communicate,  which  opportunities 
generally  afforded  us  satisfaction  ;  and  respecting  their  tem- 
poral circumstances,  we  have  assisted  them  where  we  thought 
necessary,  inspected  and  settled  their  accounts,  according  to  the 
contract  between  them  and  their  employers,  wherein  we 
endeavored  to  do  strict  justice,  and  likewise  administered 
advice  therein  when  necessary.  Also,  agreeably  to  the  advice 
of  the  Monthly  Meeting,  we  have  closely  recommended  to  some 
who  have  large  families  of  children,  the  necessity  of  placing 
them  out,  not  only  for  the  easement  of  the  parents,  but  benefit 
of  themselves,  by  obtaining  a  suitable  and  necessary  education. 
There  appears  to  be  one  that  requires  Friends'  assistance  in 
that  respect,  the  parents  being  aged  and  not  well  able  to  spare 
her,  and  not  of  ability  to  discharge  that  duty  themselves.  We 
likevv'isefind  them,  in  a  general  way,  able  to  support  themselves 
with  the  necessaries  of  life,  except  one  woman  with  two  small 
children  and  her  husband  a  slave." — (New  Garden  Monthly 
Meeting.) 

The  Quarterly  Meeting  on  the  Western  Shore,  reported  to 
the  Yearly  Meeting  for  Maryland,  in  1779,  that  they  have  re- 
ceived manumissions  for  fifty- three  negroes  within  the  past  year, 
— (Thirdhaven  Yearly  Meeting.) 

Yet  it  is  a  melancholy  fact,  that  very  many  members  resid- 
ing on  the  Western  Shore  suffered  themselves  to  be  disowned, 
rather  than  part  with  their  slaves.  Few  or  no  Friends  now 
live  in  that  section  of  the  State  of  Maryland.  The  principles 
professed  and  so  nobly  pi-actised  by  Friends,  are  utterly  incom- 
patible with  the  practice  of  slaveholding  ;  they  cannot  long 
subsist  together  without  one  or  the  other  gaining  the  ascendency. 
This  conclusion  is  fully  sustained  by  the  history  of  the  Ameri- 
can Colonies. 

The  memorable  year  of  1780  found  Friends  nearly,  if  not 
entirely  clear  of  slaveholding ;  while  a  strong  feeling  opposed 


356 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


to  the  practice  pervaded  the  State,  and  led  the  Legislature 
to  declare : — 

1780. — "  It  is  not  for  us  to  inquire  why,  in  the  creation  of 
mankind,  the  inhabitants  of  the  several  parts  of  the  earth  were 
distinguished  by  a  difference  in  feature  or  complexion.  It  is 
sufficient  to  know  that  all  are  the  work  of  an  Almighty  hand. 
We  find,  in  the  distribution  of  the  human  species,  that  the 
most  fertile  as  well  as  the  most  barren  parts  of  the  earth  are 
inhabited  by  men  of  complexion  different  from  ours,  and  from 
each  other  ;  from  whence  we  may  reasonably,  as  well  as  reli- 
giously infer,  that  He  who  placed  them  in  their  various  situa- 
tions hath  extended  equally  his  care  and  protection  to  all,  and 
that  it  becometh  not  us  to  counteract  His  mercies." 

1787. — "  Recommended  to  the  watchful  attention  of  the 
Meeting  for  Sufferings  in  particular,  and  to  Friends  indi- 
vidually, that  no  opportunity  be  lost  of  urging  to  those  in 
power  the  moral  and  Christian  necessity  of  suppressing  the 
cruel  traffic  in  those  afflicted  people  ;  and  manifesting  to  the 
world  the  religious  ground  of  our  Christian  testimony  against 
this  public  wickedness." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1790. — "  The  request  of  Abington  Quarterly  Meeting  for 
the  sense  of  this  meeting,  whether  it  is  not  a  breach  of  our 
testimony  for  a  Friend  to  make  a  purchase  of  a  slave,  and  then 
manumit  him  or  her,  and  by  agreement  take  an  indenture  or 
other  obligation  of  servitude,  until  the  purchase-money  is  paid; 
coming  under  consideration,  it  appears  to  be  the  sense  of  this 
meeting,  that  such  purchase  and  agreement  is  contrary  to  our 
testimony  against  slavery." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

Some  may  call  this  in  question.  Considerations  of  indi- 
vidual benevolence  may  lead  to  a  different  conclusion ;  where, 
for  instance,  a  slave  must  be  sold,  either  into  interminable 
bondage,  or  where  he  can  thus  work  out  his  future  freedom. 
The  choice  seems  easy.  But,  when  viewed  in  its  general  bear- 
ing, is  not  such  a  purchaser  accessory  to  two  wrongs  ?  First, 
he  pays  the  assumed  owner  for  that  which  did  not  properly 


NEGEOES  AND  SLAVERY. 


357 


belong  to  him,  thereby  encouraging  him  to  pursue  tlic  wrong 
practice  further ;  and,  second,  he  renders  himself  responsible 
for  the  enslavement  of  the  man.  The  master  is  changed  ;  the 
slave  is  called  an  apprentice;  but  his  slavery  is  continued  for 
the  stipulated  term.  The  comforts  of  the  individual  may  be 
increased  ;  but  is  not  the  condition  of  countless  thousands 
made  worse,  and  their  chains  more  securely  riveted  ? 

Ever  faithful  to  the  monitions  of  Divine  grace  in  their  own 
hearts,  a  Woolman,  a  Lay,  a  Benezet,  an  Evans,  and  a  Hicks, 
with  many  others,  were  not  slow  to  perceive  that  those  who 
trafficked  in  and  used  the  produce  of  the  slaves'  unrequited 
labor,  were  lending  their  aid  to  continue  the  oppression  and 
injustice  of  slavery ;  and  therefore  felt  themselves  restrained 
from  such  traffic  and  such  use.  The  support  of  this  testimony 
will  yet  rest  with  greater  weight  upon  the  faithful  members 
of  our  religious  Society  ;  and  the  blessing  which  has  attended 
their  past  labors,  affords  an  encouraging  promise  of  success  in 
those  which  are  to  come.  In  the  year  1837,  the  Yearly 
Meeting  so  far  recognized  this  concern  as  to  recommend  its 
members — 

1837. — "To  embrace  every  right  opening  to  maintain  and 
exalt  our  righteous  testimony  against  slavery.  And,  where 
any  of  our  members  feel  any  religious  scruples  as  to  the  use 
of  the  products  of  slave  labor,  that  they  faithfully  attend 
thereto." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1854. — "  Our  testimony  against  slavery  was  impressively 
brought  into  view,  and  Friends  were  encouraged  to  increased 
fidelity  in  its  maintenance.  This  portentous  evil  was  felt  to 
be  like  a  dark  cloud  hanging  over  our  beloved  country,  and 
we  were  admonished  to  seek  for  Divine  aid  and  guidance  in  all 
our  efforts  in  relation  thereto.  We  were  reminded  that  some 
of  the  earliest  and  most  efficient  laborers  in  this  field  of  service 
felt  themselves  restrained  from  the  use  of  the  produce  of  slave- 
labor  ;  and  Friends  were  encouraged  to  attend  to  their  con- 
scientious scruples  in  this  particular,  at  the  same  time  bearing 
in  mind  that  the  progress  of  light  is  gradual,  and  hence,  we 


358 


« 

RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


should  ever  cherish  that  charity  -vvhieh  thinketh  no  evil,  which 
suffereth  long  and  is  kind." — (Yearly  Meeting  Extracts.) 

There  is  deep  instruction  in  the  foregoing  narrative.  The 
unfolding  of  Divine  Truth  in  the  mind  is  a  gradual  work,  de- 
pendent upon  the  degree  of  obedience  rendered  to  its  mani- 
festations ;  for  it  will  ever  remain  to  be  a  truth,  that  they 
who  are  faithful  in  a  little  shall  be  made  rulers  over  more. 
The  progress  of  associated  bodies  is,  however,  retarded  by 
causes  which  do  not  exist  in  individual  cases.  Relieious  so- 
eiety  is  necessarily  constituted  of  heterogeneous  materials. 
There  are  many  gifts,  but  the  same  spirit;  many  states  of 
religious  experience ;  many  degrees  of  obedience ;  while  some 
may  altogether  refuse  to  walk  in  the  light  with  which  they 
have  been  furnished.  The  feeble  will  lag  behind  and  require 
a  helping  hand ;  the  doubting  will  wait  for  clearer  manifesta- 
tions ;  the  perverse  will  refuse  to  move  forward.  Hence  the 
adage,  "  heavy  bodies  move  slow,"  is  applicable  to  them.  Yet 
herein  is  the  beauty  and  the  excellency  of  religious  association. 
The  strong  and  the  confident  are  willing  to  wait  for,  to  en- 
courage and  assist,  the  Aveak,  the  timid,  and  the  desponding ; 
casting  off  only  those  who  wholly  refuse  their  proffered  assist- 
ance. This  is  beautifully  exemplified  in  the  instance  before  us. 
It  required  nearly  a  century  for  the  Society  to  eradicate 
actual  slavcholding  from  its  borders.  Yet,  by  long,  patient, 
unremitted  labors,  and  a  full  reliance  upon  the  blessing  of 
Heaven  upon  their  exertions,  the  great  end  was  accomplished ; 
while  the  unity  and  harmony  of  the  body  were  preserved,  and 
very  few  of  its  members  cut  off. 

Much  yet  remains  to  be  done,  in  order  effectually  to  wash 
our  hands  from  participation  in  the  guilt  of  slavery.  But  if  it 
was  so  diflScult  for  our  forefathers  to  experience  an  anointing 
of  their  eyes,  with  the  eyesalve  of  the  kingdom,  so  that  they 
could  clearly  perceive  the  sinfulness  of  slavcholding,  let  us 
profit  by  what  they  suffered,  and  earnestly  seek  to  have  our 
own  vision  so  purified  that  we  may  more  easily  discern  the  duty 
which  still  rests  upon  us  in  this  matter.   And  may  the  glorious 


priests'  hates — tithes. 


359 


beams  of  the  sun  of  righteousness  penetrate  deeper  and  deeper 
into  the  dark  recesses  of  our  selfish  nature,  until  we  become 
cleansed  from  all  the  contaminations  of  slavery,  and  redeemed 
from  every  gratification  whereby  it  is  encouraged  and  sustained. 


CHAPTER  XXVIIT. 


PRIESTS'  RATES— TITHES. 

The  great  object  of  William  Penn,  in  settling  his  American 
Colony,  Avas  to  establish  and  maintain  religious  and  civil 
liberty  among  the  people ;  and  he  was  so  far  successful,  as 
effectually  to  prevent  a  church  establishment  in  Pennsylvania. 
Some  of  the  neighboring  colonies  were  less  fortunate.  Friends 
who  lived  on  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland,  now  embraced 
within  the  scope  of  this  retrospect,  often  suffered  from  this 
cause,  and  require  a  brief  notice. 

1696. — "  WilliagL-Richardson  gives  account,  and  produces 
receipts,  for  1228  pounds  of  tobacco,  taken  from  him  by  execu- 
tion, on  account  of  the  priests." — (Yearly  Meeting  at  Third- 
haven.) 

Similar  records  of  that  and  the  next  year,  show  that  there 
was  in  like  manner  taken  from — 
Richard  Harrison, 


Samuel  Thomas,  . 
William  Mears,  . 
William  Harris,  . 
Robert  Gover, 
William  Richards, 
George  Regstone, 
Richard  Galway, 


1261  lbs. 

894  " 

290  " 

250  " 

560  " 

604  " 

270  " 

160  " 


Add  for  Wm.  Richardson,  as  above, 


4289  lbs. 
1228  " 


6517  lbs. 


360 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


Those  nine  Friends  would  thence  have  suffered  an  average 
annual  distraint  of  362  lbs.  of  tobacco.  However  low  the 
nominal  price  of  tobacco  might  have  been,  the  high  price  of 
money  in  those  days  must  have  rendered  this  a  very  onerous 
tax  for  preaching,  which  they  did  not  hear,  and  could  not 
acknowledge. 

1701. — "This  meeting  having  understood  that  some  called 
Friends  receive  tobacco  that  is  executed  for  the  pi-iests ;  and 
therefore  this  meeting  advises,  that  for  the  future,  all  Friends 
take  due  care  that  they  receive  no  such  tobacco.": — (Yearly 
Meeting  at  Thirdhaven.) 

Tobacco  being  the  staple  production  of  that  part  of  the 
country,  was  not  only  most  likely  to  be  obtained  as  tithe,  but 
had  even  become,  in  a  measure,  the  circulating  medium  in  busi- 
ness transactions.  But  their  tobacco  was  not  alone  subject  to 
execution  for  tithes,  their  persons  were  also  liable  to  the  same 
process. 

1738. — "It  was  proposed  from  Cecil  Monthly  Meeting  to 
this  meeting,  whether  a  Friend  taken  in  execution  for  priests' 
rates,  so  called,  and  through  the  tenderness  of  the  sheriff  dis- 
charged, may,  without  breach  of  our  testimony  against  this  anti- 
christian  yoke  of  tithes,  pay  the  officer's  fees  ?  It  is  the  sense 
of  this  meeting  that  Friends  can  no  more  pay  the  sheriff,  or 
officer's  fees,  than  the  county  per  poll  or  priests'  dues,  so 
called,  it  issuing  from  the  same  ground  and  foundation." — 
(Yearly  Meeting  at  Thirdhaven.) 

Nearly  related  to  the  payment  of  priests'  rates,  is  that  of 
acknowledging  a  man-made  and  mere  educational  ministry; 
for,  saith  the  Apostle,  "If  any  man  speak,  let  him  speak  as 
the  oracles  of  God ;  if  any  man  minister,  let  him  do  it  as  of 
the  ability  which  God  giveth."  Friends  believe  that  this 
"ability"  cannot  be  conferred  by  mere  education,  nor  in  the 
will  of  man,  now,  any  more  than  in  the  apostolic  age,  and  that 
without  it,  all  ministrations  must  be  dry  and  empty  forms. 


GAMES — LOTTERIES — DIVERSIONS. 


361 


1731. — "  Friends  of  this  Monthly  Meeting  desire  the  advice 
of  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  concerning  such  Friends  among  us 
who,  by  going  to  burials,  or  otherwise,  among  those  who  are 
not  of  our  Society,  do  join  with  them  in  prayer,  by  taking  off 
their  hats,  who,  after  having  been  dealt  with,  refuse  to  give 
satisfaction." — (Abington  Monthly  Meeting.) 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

GAMES— LOTTERIES— DIVERSIONS. 

1705. — "Whereas,  T          H  ,  at  our  last  meeting,  did 

acknowledge  that  he  was  drawn  into  error  by  evil  company,  to 
play  at  cards,  to  the  dishonor  of  Truth  ;  whereupon  he  brought 
to  this  meeting  a  paper  of  condemnation,  to  clear  Truth  of  the 
same  ;  which  was  accepted." — (Falls  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1716. — "Advised,  that  care  be  taken  to  prevent  Friends' 
children,  and  all  professing  Truth,  from  going  to  or  being  any 
way  concerned  in  plays,  games,  lotteries,  music,  and  dancing." 
— (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1719. — "Advised,  that  such  be  dealt  with  as  run  races,  either 
on  horseback  or  on  foot,  lay  wagers,  or  use  any  gaming  or 
needless  and  vain  sports  and  pastimes ;  for  our  time  swiftly 
passeth  away,  and  our  pleasure  and  delight  ought-  to  be  in  the 
law  of  the  Lord." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1725. — "N  H  hath  given  in  a  paper  condemning 

himself  for  his  playing  at  cards ;  which  paper  the  meeting 
receives,  and  orders  him  to  read  the  said  paper  in  the  place 
where  he  was  playing,  in  the  presence  of  Benjamin  Fredd  and 
William  Ilalliday ;  .  .  .  and  he  is  desired  to  forbear  coming 
to  meetings  of  business  until  Friends  are  better  satisfied  with 
him  as  to  conversation  and  sincerity  to  Truth." — (New  Garden 
Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  card-playing  was  in  a  public-house. 


362 


RETROSPECT  OF   EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


1729. — "  Nottingham  Preparative  Meeting  acquaints  this 
meeting  that  E,  K  ,  son  of  A  K  ,  was  wrest- 
ling for  a  wager,  which  he  seems  to  evade ;  so  this  meeting 
appoints,"  &c. — (New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1735. — "  In  answer  to  that  part  of  the  report  from  Chester 
Quarterly  Meeting  relating  to  lotteries,  this  meeting  is  of 
opinion  that  Friends  should  be  careful  not  to  engage  in  any- 
thing of  that  kind." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

The  sagacity  of  William  Pcnn  very  early  led  him  to  inter- 
dict all  theatrical  exhibitions  within  his  Province,  "  as  tending 
to  looseness  and  immorality."    But  in  the  year 

1749,  "  The  Recorder  of  the  City  reported  to  the  Common 
Council  that  certain  persons  had  lately  taken  upon  them  to 
act  plays  in  the  city,  &c.,  which,  it  was  to  be  feared,  would  be 
attended  with  very  mischievous  effects, — such  as  the  encourage- 
ment of  idleness,  and  drawing  great  sums  of  money  from  weak 
and  inconsiderate  persons,  who  are  apt  to  be  fond  of  sucli  kind 
of  entertainment,  though  the  performance  be  ever  so  mean  and 
contemptible ;  whereupon  the  Board  unanimously  requested 
the  magistrates  to  take  the  most  effectual  means  for  suppress- 
ing this  disorder,  by  sending  for  the  actors  and  binding  them 
for  their  good  behavior." — (Watson's  Annals,  p.  408.) 

1754. — "The  Common  Council,  not  then  under  the  control 
of  Friends,  gave  the  actors  license  '  to  act  a  few  plays,'  pro- 
vided 'nothing  indecent  or  immoral  was  offered.'  " — (Bowden, 
II,  p.  287.) 

1759. — "  They  then  came  in  the  month  of  July  to  a  theatre, 
prepared  in  the  year  before,  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Vernon 
and  South  Streets,  called  the  Theatre  on  Society  Hill.  It  was 
there  placed,  on  the  south  side  of  the  city  bounds,  so  as  to  be 
out  of  the  reach  of  city  control." — (Watson,  p.  409.) 

1762.  — Complaint  was  made  against  "W  T  ,  Jr., 

for  misconduct,  such  as  accompanying  fiddlers  and  dancers." 
— (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1763.  — Complaint  made  against  "  R  L  ,  for  neglect- 


GAMES — . 


■LOTTERIES- 


; — DIVERSIONS. 


363 


ing  to  attend  meotings  and  frequenting  a  dancing-school." — 
(Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1773. — "  It  being  observed  that  a  number  of  lotteries  have 
been  set  up  for  some  time  past,  and  desire  of  gain  in  this  way 
being  contrary  to  our  religious  profession  and  unjustifiable  ; 
and,  from  some  of  the  accounts  noAV  received,  there  is  cause  to 
apprehend  that  some  professing  -with  us  have  been  drawn  to 
countenance  and  encourage  this  unjust  and  dishonorable  prac- 
tice, Monthly  Meetings  are  desired  to  labor  to  maintain  our 
testimony  against  it,  by  advising  and  admonishing  any  who 
may  be  in  danger  of  being  ensnared  by  such  temptations  ;  and 
where  any  persist  either  to  promote  or  encourage  such  means 
of  obtaining  unjust  gain,  that  they  endeavor  to  bring  them  to 
a  due  sense  of  their  error ;  but  if  they  cannot  prevail  with 
them  to  acknowledge  and  condemn  it,  the  testimony  of  Truth 
should  be  maintained  against  them." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

1778. — Complaint  was  made  against  "  E          S   and 

S  S  ,  for  deviating  from  plainness  in  dress  and  lan- 
guage, and  frequenting  places  of  music  and  dancing,  and 
joining  therein  themselves." — (Wilmington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1784. — In  a  remonstrance  Avhich  Friends  presented  to  the 
General  Assembly  this  year,  they  say : — 

"  We  are  informed  that  a  company  of  stage-players  have 
lately,  in  a  petition  to  the  House,  prayed  your  patronage,  by 
a  repeal  of  the  law  against  their  pernicious  entertainments. 

....  That  we  may  not  be  wanting  in  so  obvious  a  duty  to 
our  families,  to  our  fellow-citizens,  and  to  you  in  whom  so 
important  a  trust  is  reposed,  we  take  the  liberty  to  represent 
our  alarming  apprehensions  of  the  imminent  danger  attending, 
and  the  unhappy  effects  there  is  reason  to  dread  from,  your 
compliance  with  the  prayer  of  the  said  petition;  whereby  the 
sanction  of  legislative  authority  may  be  given  to  that  torrent 
of  vice  and  irreligion,  which  abundant  experience  evinces  to  be 
the  invariable  attendant  of  those  delusive  diversions.  .  .  .  We 
are  earnestly  solicitous  that  you  would  seriously  and  impar- 
tially examine  the  reasons  which  operated  with  your  predeces- 
sors to  enact  the  law  in  question,  and  duly  and  wisely  inquire 


364 


KBTROSFECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


what  just  cause  can  have  arisen,  from  a  variation  of  circum- 
stances, to  induce  its  repeal  

"Distinguished  as  you  are  by  your  station,  as  delegated 
guardians  of  the  public  welfare,  we  fervently  desire  you  may 
be  so  favored  with  the  spirit  of  sound  wisdom  as  clearly  to 
discern,  and  firmly  to  adhere  to,  the  essential  interests  of  the 
people,  as  founded  in,  and  inseparably  dependent  on  true 
religion." 

The  law  was  probably  repealed,  notwithstanding  this  cogent 
remonstrance,  for  in  1793  the  theatre  in  Chestnut  Street  was 
erected. 

If  the  theatrical  amusements  of  that  day  were  so  objec- 
tionable, what  shall  we  say  of  those  of  modern  date.  The 
KQodest  and  the  virtuous  may  attend  them,  but  they  must  soon 
lose  both  their  modesty  and  virtue,  or  abandon  the  practice. 
Notwithstanding  these,  their  principal  support  is  from  a  different 
class.  Disguise  the  fact  as  we  may,  the  comedy  is  low  buf- 
foonery, without  rationality ;  the  tragedy  is  love  and  murder 
in  their  most  repulsive  forms,  without  any  redeeming  quality : 
they  are  both  incentives  to  licentiousness.  While  they  stimu- 
late, they  also  teach  the  foul  arts  of  the  seducer,  and  lead  their 
votaries  down  to  the  grog-shop,  and  often  the  brothel,  both  of 
which  stand  near  with  open  doors  to  receive  them. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

SORCERY. 

1695. — "Whereas  this  meeting  being  acquainted  (see  Con- 
cord Monthly  Meeting  Record  for  ninth  month,  1695)  that  some 
persons  under  the  profession  of  Truth,  and  belonging  to  this 
meeting,  who,  professing  the  art  of  astrology,  have  undertaken 
thereby  to  give  answers  and  astrological  judgments  concerning 


SORCERY. 


305 


persons  and  things,  tending  to  the  dishonor  of  God  and  the  re- 
proach of  Truth,  and  the  great  hurt  both  of  themselves  and  those 
who  so  come  to  inquire  of  them  :  And  whereas  it  is  reported, 
that  some  professing  Truth  among  us  seem  too  much  inclined 
to  use  rhabdomancy,  or  consulting  with  a  staff,  and  such  like 
things  ;  all  which  have  brought  a  weighty  exercise  and  con- 
cern upon  this  meeting,  as  well  because  of  the  reproach 
already  brought  upon  the  Truth  thereby  ;  as  also  to  prevent, 
as  much  as  in  us  lies,  its  being  further  reproached  by  any 
among  us  that  may  attempt  to  follow  the  like  practices  for 
time  to  come: 

.  "Now,  therefore,  being  met  together  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 
to  consider  not  only  the  affairs  of  Truth  in  the  general,  but 
also  that  it  may  be  kept  clear  of  all  scandal  and  reproach  by 
all  that  profess  it  in  the  particular ;  as  also,  to  recover,  if  pos- 
sible, any  who,  for  want  of  diligence  and  watchfulness  therein, 
have  not  only  brought  reproach  thereto,  but  have  also  hurt 
their  own  souls,  darkened  their  own  understandings,  hindered 
themselves  as  to  their  inward  exercise  and  spiritual  travel 
towai'ds  the  land  of  rest  and  peace ;  which,  as  we  all  come  in 
a  measure  to  be  possessed  of,  shall  feel  great  satisfaction  and 
sweet  content  in  our  condition,  as  God  by  his  good  hand  of 
providence  shall  be  pleased  to  order  it.  Whether  we  have 
much  of  this  world  or  not ;  whether  we  get  of  it  or  not ; 
whether  we  lose  or  not  lose,  every  one  being  in  his  place, 
using  his  or  her  honest  and  Christian  endeavors ;  we  shall  be 
content  with  the  success  of  our  labors  without  such  unlawful 
looking  of  what  the  event  of  this  or  that  or  the  other  thing 
may  be ;  by  running  to  inquire  of  the  astrologers,  magicians, 
soothsayers,  star-gazers,  or  monthly  prognosticators,  which  of 
old  could  not  tell  their  own  events  (neither  can  they  at  this 
day).  For  we  read,  that  when  God  pronounced  his  judgments 
against  Babylon  and  Chaldea,  how  the  prophet  in  the  zeal  of 
the  Lord  called  upon  such  men  in  a  contemptuous  manner, 
saying,  '  Evil  hath  come  upon  thee,  thou  shalt  not  know  from 
where  it  riseth.'  'And,'  said  he,  'let  now  the  astrologers  and 
star-gazers,  and  monthly  prognosticators  stand  up  and  save 


36G 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


thee  from  tliese  things  that  shall  come  upon  thee.'  'Behold,' 
said  he,  '  they  shall  be  as  stubble,  they  shall  not  deliver  them- 
selves,' &c. 

"  And  further,  we  may  read  how  the  Lord  strictly  com- 
manded His  people,  saying,  '  There  shall  not  be  found  among 
you  any  that  useth  divination,  or  an  observer  of  times,  or  an 
enchanter,  or  a  witch,  or  a  charmer,  or  a  consulter  of  familiar 
spirits,  or  a  wizard,  or  a  necromancer ;  for  all  that  do  these 
things  are  an  abomination  to  the  Lord.'  So  that,  upon  the 
whole,  we  do  declare  against  all  the  aforesaid  or  any  such  like 
practices ;  and  do  exhort  all,  not  only  to  forbear  practising 
any  of  those  things  themselves,  but  also  that  they  discounte- 
nance the  practice  thereof  in  all  those  whomsoever  it  doth  ap- 
pear ;  and,  forasmuch  as  we  understand  that  those  among  us 
that  incline  to  those  things  are  chiefly  some  youths,  who,  being 
unacquainted  with  the  enemy's  mysterious  workings  and  de- 
vices, whereby  he  allures  their  minds  to  seek  and  aspire  after 
such  knowledge,  which,  when  they  have  attained  all  they  can, 
is  at  best  but  uncertain  and  failable,  as  they  themselves  confess, 
and  therefore  is  but  knowledge  falsely  so  called ;  we  do,  there- 
fore, in  the  fear  of  God,  caution,  warn,  and  exhort  all  parents, 
who,  if  at  any  time  they  see,  or  otherwise  understand,  their 
children  do  practice,  or  are  inclined  to  practice  any  of  those 
things,  that  speedily  thereupon  they  use  their  utmost  endea- 
vors, not  only  like  Eli  of  old,  to  forewarn  them,  but  also  to 
restrain  them.  And  further,  it  is  the  sincere  and  Christian 
advice  of  this  meeting  that,  when  any  among  us  have  been 
found  acting  in  any  of  those  things,  that  Friends  of  the  parti- 
cular Monthly  Meeting  where  such  dwell,  do  use  their  utmost 
endeavors,  in  the  way  and  order  of  the  Gospel  practised  among 
us,  to  bring  such  person  or  persons  to  a  sense  of  their  wrong 
practices  therein ;  and  that  they  do,  for  the  clearing  of  Truth, 
and  also  for  the  good  of  their  own  souls,  condemn  what  they 
have  already  done  as  to  these  things  ;  and  that,  for  time  to 
come,  they  lay  them  aside,  and  practise  them  no  more. 

"  And  also,  that  they  bring  in  all  books  that  relate  to  those 
things  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  they  belong  to,  to  be  disposed 


SORCERY. 


367 


of  as  Friends  shall  think  fit ;  and,  if  any  shall  refuse  to  comply 
Avith  such  their  wholesome  and  Christian  advice,  that  tlien  the 
Friends  of  the  said  respective  Monthly  Meetings  do  give  testi- 
mony against  them ;  and  so  Truth  will  stand  over  them,  and 
Friends  will  be  clear. 

"  Let  this  be  read  in  all  Monthly  Meetings,  and  at  all  such 
First-Day  Meetings  where  and  as  often  as  tlie  Friends  of  the 
respective  Monthly  Meetings  do  see  service  for  it." — (Concord 
Quarterly  Meeting.) 

I  have  not  found  that  the  Yearly  Meeting  had  issued  any 
disciplinary  advice  relating  to  this  matter;  hence  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  felt  constrained  to  take  action  in  the  premises.  It 
was  not  until  twenty-eight  years  after  that  the  following  minute 
was  issued  : — 

1723. — "It  is  the  sense  and  judgment  of  this  meeting  that, 
if  any  professing  Truth,  shall  apply  to  such  person  or  persons 
as,  by  color  of  any  art  or  skill  whatsoever,  do  or  shall  pretend 
knowledge  to  discover  things  hiddenly  transacted,  or  tell  where 
things  lost  or  stolen  may  be  found  ;  or  if  any,  under  our  pro- 
fession, do  or  pretend  to  any  such  act  or  skill,  we  do  hereby, 
in  just  abhorrence  of  such  doings,  direct  that  the  offenders  be 
speedily  dealt  with  and  brought  under  censure." — (Yearly 
Meeting.) 

173;^. — "J          T          offered  an  acknowledgment  for  his 

disorderly  marriage  ;  '  and  for  going  to  a  man  to  be  informed 
concerning  my  horse.  I  can  truly  say  I  had  no  desire  he  should 
make  use  of  any  bad  art  in  that  affair;  and,  if  he  could  not  tell 
me  anything  by  his  learning  in  an  honest  way,  to  go  no  further. 
Likewise  was  ignorant  of  Friends'  rules  in  that  affair ;  but, 
being  since  better  informed,  hope,  for  the  future,  not  to  fall 
into  the  like  again.'  " — (Concord  Monthly  Meeting.) 

This  was  another  case  wherein  the  want  of  learning  was  not 
the  only  deficiency  to  be  lamented. 


368 


RKTROSPKCT  OP  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

HAT-HONOR. 

Those  who  are  familiar  with  the  cruel  sufferings  which  early 
Friends  endured  in  England,  even  unto  death,  because  they 
could  not  conscientiously  render  the  homage  of  taking  oif  the 
hat  to  those  who  arrogated  to  themselves  the  right  to  demand 
it,  can  properly  appreciate  the  sagacity  and  foresight  of  Wil- 
liam Penn  in  providing  against  the  like  occurrences  in  Penn- 
sylvania. This  was  done  in  a  code  of  laws  prepared  in  Eng- 
land, and  enacted  by  the  first  Assembly,  which  was  called  at 
the  house  of  Robert  Wade,  in  Upland  (now  Chester),  soon  after 
the  landing  of  the  proprietor  at  that  place,  in  1682. 

In  the  year  1720,  Governor  Keith  instituted  a  Court  of  Chan- 
cery, he  being  Chancellor  by  virtue  of  his  office.  In  this  new 
position  he  seems  to  have  forgotten  the  law  above  referred  to. 

1725. — "  At  this  court,  in  which  Sir  William  Keith  was 
President,  John  Kinsey,  who  was  a  Quaker  and  a  lawyer  of 
eminence,  who  was  afterwards  Chief  Justice  of  Pennsylvania, 
was,  in  the  year  1725,  obliged,  in  the  way  of  his  business,  to 
attend ;  where,  appearing  with  liis  hat  on  his  head,  according 
to  the  usual  manner  of  that  people,  the  President  ordered  it  to 
be  taken  off,  which  was  accordingly  done." — (Praud,  II,  197.) 

This  arbitrary  proceeding  called  forth 

"  The  humble  address  of  the  people  called  Quakers,  by  ap- 
pointment of  their  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  in  Philadelphia, 
for  the  city  and  county,  2d  of  second  month,  1725 : — 

"  '  May  it  please  the  Governor  :  Having  maturely  considered 
the  inconveniences  and  hardships  which,  we  are  apprehensive, 
all  those  of  our  community  may  be  laid  under  who  shall  be 
obliged  or  required  to  attend  the  respective  courts  of  judicature 


UAT-IIONOR. 


369 


iti  this  province,  if  they  may  not  be  admitted  without  first 
having  their  hats  taken  off  from  their  heads  by  an  officer,  as 
we  understand  was  the  case  of  our  friend  John  Kinsey,  when 
the  Governor  was  pleased  to  command  his  to  be  taken  off,  before 
he  couhl  be  admitted  to  speak  in  a  case  depending  in  a  Court 
of  Chancery,  after  that  he  had  declared  that  he  could  not,  for 
conscience,  comply  with  the  Governor's  order  to  himself  to  the 
same  purpose  ;  which,  being  altogether  new  and  unprecedented 
in  this  province,  was  the  more  surprising  to  the  spectators, 
and,  as  we  conceive  (however  slight  some  may  account  it),  has 
a  tendency  to  the  subversion  of  our  religious  liberties. 

"  '  This  province,  with  the  powers  of  government,  was  granted 
by  King  Charles  the  Second  to  our  proprietor,  who,  at  the  time 
of  the  said  grant,  was  known  to  dissent  from  the  national  way 
of  worship  in  divers  points,  and  particularly  in  that  of  outward 
behavior,  of  refusing  to  pay  unto  man  the  honors  that  he,  with 
all  others  of  the  same  profession,  believe  only  to  be  due  to  the 
Supreme  Being ;  and  they  have,  on  all  occasions,  supported 
their  testimony,  so  far  as  to  be  frequently  subjected  to  the 
insults  of  such  as  required  that  homage. 

"  '  That  the  principal  part  of  those  who  accompanied  our 
said  proprietor  in  his  first  settlement  of  this  colony,  with  others 
of  the  same  profession,  who  have  since  retired  into  it,  justly 
conceived  that,  by  virtue  of  said  powers  granted  to  our  pro- 
prietor, they  should  have  a  free  and  unquestioned  right  to  the 
exercise  of  their  religious  principles,  and  their  persuasion  in 
the  aforementioned  points  and  all  others,  by  which  they  were 
distinguished  from  those  of  all  other  professions.  And  it  seems 
not  unreasonable  to  conceive  an  indulgence  intended  by  the 
Crown,  in  graciously  leaving  the  government  to  him  and  them 
in  such  manner  as  may  best  suit  their  circumstances ;  which 
appears  to  have  been  an  early  care  in  the  first  legislators,  by 
several  acts,  as  that  of  Liberty  of  Conscience,  and  more  parti- 
cularly by  a  law  of  the  province,  passed  in  the  thirteenth  year 
of  King  William,  Chapter  xcii,  now  in  force.  It  is  provided, 
'  That  in  all  courts,  all  persons,  of  all  persuasions,  may  freely 
appear  in  their  own  way,  and  according  to  their  own  manner, 

24 


370 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


and  there  personally  plead  their  own  cause,  or,  if  unable,  by 
their  friends ;'  which  provision  appears  to  be  directly  intended 
to  guard  against  all  exceptions  to  any  person  appearing  in  their 
own  way,  as  our  friend  at  the  aforesaid  court. 

"  'Now,  though  no  people  can  be  more  ready  and  willing,  in 
all  things  essential,  to  pay  all  due  regard  to  superiors,  and 
honor  the  courts  of  justice,  and  those  who  administer  them, 
yet,  in  such  points  as  interfere  with  our  conscientious  persua- 
sion, we  have  openly  and  firmly  borne  our  testimony  in  all 
countries  and  places  where  our  lots  have  fallen. 

"  'We  must,  therefore,  crave  leave  to  hope,  from  the  reasons 
here  humbly  offered,  that  the  Governor,  when  he  fully  considers 
them,  will  be  of  opinion  with  us,  that  we  may  justly  and 
modestly  claim  it  as  a  right,  that  we  and  our  friends  should, 
at  all  times,  be  excused  in  the  government  from  any  compli- 
ances against  our  conscientious  persuasions ;  and  humbly  re- 
quest that  he  would,  in  future,  account  it  so  to  us,  thy  assured, 
well-wishing  friends. 

"  '  Signed  by  appointment  of  the  said  meeting, 

"'John  Goodson,  "'Richard  Hill, 

" '  Rowland  Ellis,  "  '  Richard  Hayes, 

"  '  Reece  Thomas,  "  '  Morris  Morris, 

"'Samuel  Preston,  "'Anthony  Morris, 

"'William  Hudson,         '"Evan  Evans.'" 

"  '  On  consideration  had  of  the  humble  address  presented, 
this  day  read  in  open  court,  from  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of 
the  people  called  Quakers,  for  the  city  and  county  of  Phila- 
delphia ;  it  is  ordered,  that  the  address  be  filed  with  the  Register, 
and  that  it  be  made  a  standing  rule  of  the  Court  of  Chancery 
for  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  for  all  time  to  come,  that 
any  practitioner  of  the  law,  or  other  oSicer  or  person,  whatsoever, 
professing  himself  to  be  one^of  the  people  called  Quakers,  may, 
and  shall  be  admitted,  if  they  so  think  fit,  to  speak  or  other- 
wise officiate  or  apply  themselves  decently  unto  the  said  Court, 
without  being  obliged  to  observe  the  usual  ceremony  of  uncov- 
ering their  heads,  by  having  their  hats  taken  off.    And  such 


IIAT-HONOR. 


371 


privilege,  hereby  ordered  and  granted  to  the  people  called 
Quakers,  shall  at  no  time  hereafter  be  understood  or  interpreted 
as  any  contempt  or  neglect  of  said  Court ;  and  shall  be  taken 
only  as  an  act  of  conscientious  liberty,  of  right  appertaining  to 
the  religious  persuasion  of  the  said  people,  and  agreeable  to 
their  practice  in  all  civil  affairs  of  life. 

"^By  Sir  William  Keith, 

" '  Chancellor:  " 

Much  credit  is  due  to  Governor  Keith  for  thus  respecting 
the  rights  of  conscience  and  promptly  responding  to  the  remon- 
strance of  Friends.  It  is,  moreover,  a  keen  rebuke  upon  those 
of  our  profession  who  manifest  their  inconsistency  by  taking  off 
their  hats  upon  such  occasions.  The  following  story  conveys 
a  moral : — 

"  The  Governor  of  Virginia  wanted  a  cooper  to  mend  his 
wine-casks,  and  some  told  him  there  was  a  workman  near,  but 
he  was  a  Quaker.  He  said,  if  he  was  a  workman,  he  made  no 
matter  what  he  professed.  So  the  Quaker,  such  as  he  was, 
was  sent  for,  and  came  with  his  hat  under-  his  arm.  The  Gov- 
ernor was  somewhat  at  a  stand  to  see  the  man  come  in  after 
that  manner,  and  asked  if  he  was  the  cooper  he  had  sent  for  ?  He 
said,  '  Yes.'  '  Well,'  said  the  Governor,  '  are  you  not  a  Quaker  ?' 
'Yes,'  replied  the  man,  '  I  am  so  called,  but  I  have  not  been  faith- 
ful.' He  th-en  asked  how  long  he  had  been  called  a  Quaker? 
The  poor  man  said,  about  twenty  years.  '  Alas  for  you,  poor 
man,'  said  the  Governor,  '  I  am  sorry  for  you.'  " — (John  Richard- 
son's Journal,  p.  148.) 

1800. — "  Reported  from  the  Preparative  Meeting,  that  John 
Mears,  in  acting  as  a  justice  of  the  peace  (with  other  misde- 
meanors), hath  so  far  deviated  from  the  testimony  Truth  led 
our  predecessors  to  bear  against  formal  compliments  and  cere- 
monies, as  to  command  a  man  to  put  off  his  hat  when  he  came 
before  him," — (Catawissa  Monthly  Meeting.) 

It  would  be  well  for  Quakers  who  have  not  been  faithful,  to 
consider  how  often  they  are  exposed  to  the  rebuke  of  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Virginia,  "  Alas  for  you,  poor  man,  I  am  sorry  for  you.'" 


372 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

SUFFERINGS. 

1706. — "It  was  ordered  by  this  meeting,  that  there  should 
be  persons  appointed  out  of  each  Particular  Meeting  belonging 
to  this  meeting,  to  speak  to  every  Friend  belonging  to  their 
respective  meetings,  to  bring  in  an  account  to  the  next  Monthly 
Meeting,  of  the  goods  strained  from  them  for  refusing  to  pay  to 
the  upholding  of  the  militia." — (Burlington  Monthly  Meeting.) 

1709. — "  It  being  moved  at  this  meeting,  that  all  Friends 
within  the  limits  thereof,  from  their  several  Quarterly  Meetings, 
bring  in  an  account  of  all  Friends'  sufferings,  that  have  been 
or  may  happen  among  them,  for  the  testimony  of  Truth,  that 
it  may  be  done  yearly.  Unto  which  the  meeting  agrees,  and 
recommends  the  care  thereof  to  the  several  Quarterly  Meet- 
ings."— (Yearly  Meeting.) 

It  has  already  been  mentioned  that  the  Canadian  and  Indian 
War,  which  took  place  about  the  middle  of  the  last  century, 
did  much  to  create  a  military  feeling  among  the  people,  and, 
from  a  mistaken  view  of  the  relations  which  Friends  continued 
to  maintain  with  the  Indians,  subjected  them  to  much  unmerited 
suspicion  and  censure. 

The  difficulties  referred  to  Avere  only  the  prelude  to  greater. 
The  political  commotions  tending  to  the  war  of  the  Revolution 
soon  began,  with  the  multiform  evils  which  followed  in  their 
train. 

In  the  fifth  month,  1777,  the  Western  Quarterly  Meeting, 
which  was  then  composed  of  Kennet,  New  Garden,  Notting- 
ham, Bradford,  Sadsbury,  Deer  Creek,  and  Duck  Creek 
Monthly  Meetings,  issued  the  following  minute  of  advice  to 
its  constituent  branches. 


SUFFERINGS. 


373 


1777. — "  Under  consickration  of  the  present  prospect  of 
the  sufferings  of  Friends  for  the  testimony  of  Truth  against 
wars  and  fightings,  it  is  apprehended  it  may  be  of  service,  and 
therefore  we  recommend  it  to  each  Monthly  Meeting,  to 
appoint  a  number  of  suitable  Friends,  to  have  under  their  care 
and  consideration  suffering  cases  •within  the  compass  of  the 
meetings  they  belong  to,  and  be  ready  (if  there  is  occasion)  to 
advise  or  assist  their  brethren  under  sufferings  or  difficulty,  on 
account  of  their  faithfulness  in  maintaining  the  testimony  of 
Truth.  And  such  committees  are  desired  to  keep  regular 
minutes  of  their  proceedings,  and  also  endeavor  to  preserve 
and  transmit  a  faithful  account  of  all  such  sufferings,  agreeably 
to  the  advice  of  the  Yearly  Meeting." — (Western  Quarterly 
Meeting.) 

1777.  — "Which  being  considered,  Isaac  Jackson,  Thomas 
Millhouse,  Daniel  Thompson,  William  Swayne,  Joel  Bailey, 
and  Joshua  Pusey  were  appointed  for  that  service." — (New 
Garden  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  minutes  of  the  committee  just  named  are  now  before 
me,  with  many  of  the  vouchers  for  the  statements  which  they 
contain,  up  to  the  early  part  of  the  year  1782.  Each  of  the 
other  Monthly  Meetings  made  a  similar  appointment.  It  is 
probable  that  a  simultaneous  action  was  taken  by  the  Quarterly 
and  Monthly  Meetings  throughout  the  Yearly  Meeting,  for  in 
the  ninth  month  of  the  following  year,  1778,  that  body  issued 
the  following  minute  : — 

1778.  — "  We  think  it  expedient  to  recommend  to  the  com- 
mittees appointed  in  the  several  Monthly  Meetings  to  assist  in 
suffering  cases,  pursuant  to  the  advice  of  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
with  other  faithful  Friends,  speedily  to  appoint  a  solid  meeting 
or  meetings  of  conference  Avith  each  other  in  the  several 
quarters  in  which  the  grounds  of  our  principles  on  this  head 
may  be  opened,  and  our  objections  to  complying  with  those 
laws  fully  explained,  and  a  united  concern  maintained  to 
strengthen  each  other  in  the  Avay  of  Truth  and  righteousness ; 


374 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


and  to  warn  and  caution,  in  the  spirit  of  love  and  meekness, 
those  who  may  be  in  danger  of  deviating." — (Yearly  Meeting.) 

Pursuant  to  this  advice,  the  committees  of  the  seven  Monthly 
Meetings,  and  a  large  committee  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting, 
agreed  to  meet  and  hold  a  conference,  as  recommended,  once  a 
month. 

The  minutes  of  this  conference  from  second  month,  1779, 
up  to  fifth  month,  1787,  a  period  of  more  than  eight  years,  are 
also  before  me. 

From  these  authentic  and  interesting  documents  much 
curious  and  valuable  matter  may  be  gleaned. 

While  the  records  preserved  by  the  committees  of  the  several 
Monthly  Meetings  furnish  the  details  of  individual  suffering, 
those  of  the  conference  afford  a  more  summary  account  of  the 
whole  within  the  wider  sphere  of  its  operations.  Special  at- 
tention is  invited  to  the  means  employed  to  make  the  officers 
of  government  acquainted  with  the  true  position  which  Friends 
occupied  in  that  perilous  period. 

The  following  accounts  of  seizures  of  the  property  of  Friends 
on  account  of  military  demands,  are  taken  from  the  Minutes 
of  the  Committee  on  Sufferings  of  New  Garden  Monthly 
Meeting : — 

1777. — '•  A  person,  called  Captain  William  Crispin,  and 
three  other  men  with  him,  came  from  Philadelphia,  in  order  to 
procure  blankets  for  the  soldiers,  and  took  from  Friends  as 


follows,  viz. : 


"From  Jonathan  Lindley, 

1  coverlet, 

.  ,£1  10s.  Od. 

"     Joseph  Moore, 

1  blanket. 

.     0  12  0 

"     David  Moore, 

1  " 

.     0  15  0 

"     Jacob  Halliday, 

1  " 

.     10  0 

"     John  Jackson, 

1  " 

.     0  17  6 

"     Thomas  Millhouse, 

1  " 

.     0  15  0 

"     Isaac  Jackson, 

2  " 

.     1  13  0 

"     William  Miller, 

2  " 

.     14  0 

"     George  Mason, 

1  " 

.     0  14  0 

SUFFERINGS. 


375 


From  Francis  Lamborn,  1  blanket, 

"     Jacob  Wood,  1 

"     Thomas  Wood,  1 

Stephen  Cook,  2 

David  Harlan,  1 

Francis  Wilkinson,  1 

Joshua  Pusey,  2 


£0  Us.  Od. 
0  15  0 

0  15  0 

1  10 
0  7 
0  15 
0  15 


18  X24  12  0 

"  They  also  took  from  Joshua  Sharpless  one  blanket,  worth 
10s.,  and  left  money  with  his  son,  a  lad;  but  Joshua  afterwards 
sent  the  money  to  them. 

"  They  also  took  from  John  Elliot  one  blanket,  worth  15s., 
and  through  persuasion,  he  took  pay  for  it;  but  some  time 
after,  being  uneasy  in  his  mind,  he  returned  the  money. 

"The  aforesaid  men  also  got  one  blanket  from  Thomas 
Hutton  (his  wife  consenting  thereto),  worth  7s.  6d.,  and  left 
money ;  but  Thomas,  being  uneasy,  returned  the  pay. 

"And  Benjamin  Hutton  let  them  have  two  blankets,  worth 
£1  10s.  ;  and  James  Pyle  one  blanket,  worth  £1 ;  but  they 
both  grew  uneasy  in  mind,  and  returned  the  money. 

"The  same  men  also  came  to  the  house  of  Joseph  Hobson, 
he  being  from  home,  and  took  two  blankets ;  in  which  his  wife 
Elizabeth  stood  faithful,  refusing  pay  for  them." 

"  The  old  Assembly  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  hav- 
ing passed  a  resolve  imposing  a  fine  on  such  of  the  inhabitants 
as  should  not  attend  on  certain  days  to  learn  the  military 
exercise;  on  which  account,  in  the  eighth  and  ninth  months, 
1777,  John  Hindman,  accompanied  by  several  armed  men, 
took  from  Friends  in  London  Grove  Township  as  follows,  viz. : 
"From  Joseph  Moore,  a  saddle  and  great  coat,      ^£5  17s.  Oc?. 
"     Jacob  Halliday,  wearing  apparel. 
"     Richard  Flower,  horse  and  bridle,  . 
"     John  Jackson,  blankets, 
"     Thomas  Millhouse,  blankets,  . 
"     Samuel  Sharp,  two  coverlets,  one  blanket, 
"     Joseph  Taylor,  side-saddle,  bridle,  boots. 


24 
2 
2 

4 


00 
10 
10 
10 
00 


37G 


RETROSPECT  OP  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


"  From 

Moses  Starr,  hat,  silk  handkerchief, 

^1 

10s.  0( 

a 

David  Moore,  mare,  .... 

25 

00 

0 

11 

James  Lindley,  buckskins, 

5 

10 

0 

a 

John  Cain,  two  hats,  one  blanket,  . 

2 

10 

0 

li 

John  Pusey,  coverlet,  pair  of  sheets, 

1 

15 

0 

Ephraim  Wilson,  ten  yards  of  linen. 

1 

10 

0 

a 

Francis  Wilkinson,  coverlet  and  pair  sheets, 

2 

15 

0 

William  Allen,  coverlet  and  pair  sheets. 

2 

12 

6 

(< 

Thomas  Wilkinson,  coverlet,  blanket,  sheet. 

2 

13 

4 

Stephen  Cook,  cash,  &c.  (acc't  refused). 

7 

00 

2 

(( 

Joshua  Pusey,  coverlet  and  sheet,  . 

1 

16 

0 

Thomas  Wood,  horse  and  blind-bridle,  . 

20 

3 

9 

(( 

Josiah  Lamborn,  coverlet,  pair  blankets. 

3 

00 

0 

a 

George  Passmore,  money  oxt  of  pocket- 

book,  ...... 

3 

10 

0 

N.B. 

We  have  since  understood  this  was  Con- 

gress  money,  and,  therefore,  not  to  be  taken  ac- 

count of.* 

"  From  Samuel  Jackson,  riding-coat  and  blanket, 

3 

10 

0 

Joseph  Richardson,  coverlet,  blanket,  sheet. 

2 

15 

0 

(( 

Thomas  Lamborn,      "       two  "  " 

3 

16 

0 

(( 

Henry  Hayes,  quilt,                 "  " 

3 

15 

0 

il 

Francis  Lamborn,  coverlet  and  sheet. 

1 

10 

0 

u 

William  Chandler,  coverlet  and  blanket. 

2 

10 

0 

(( 

Jacob  Wood,  a  horse,  .... 

20 

00 

0 

,£163    7s.  dd. 

1778. — "In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1777,  the  new  As- 
sembly passed  an  act  entitled,  'An  Act  to  Regulate  the  Militia 
of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania ;'  directing  that  all  the 
men  between  the  ages  of  eighteen  and  fifty-three,  should  be 
enrolled  as  soldiers,  and  go  out  to  war  by  turns,  two  months 
at  a  time  ;  and  if  any  one  should  refuse  to  go  or  send  a  man 

*  This  account  is  crossed  in  the  manner  I  have  given  it,  and  the  N.B. 
is  an  interlineation.  The  "  Congress  money,"  so  called,  was  expressly  for 
the  purposes  of  the  war,  and,  as  such,  conscientious  Friends  could  not  con- 
sistently use  it.    Hence  it  was  rejected  from  the  account. 


SUFFERINGS. 


377 


in  his  stead,  it  was  enacted  that  certain  officers  should  hire  a 
substitute  in  his  room,  and  seize  upon  his  effects  to  pay  said 
substitute  ;  on  which  account  was  taken  from  Friends  as  fol- 
lows, viz.  : — 


.To m PC  T)n TiT\    n n rl  «!pvpvnl  mpn  with  him    tnolc — 

rvnvn  .Tocihnfi  T^nilv   n,  f^nlt  worth 

£20 

0& 

.Od. 

T^nniTiii^i  kji cisim nvp    n  pnit  wnvth 

20 

0 

0 

20 

0 

0 

"      An  von     ,T  kpv   h  ov^ip               ' ' 

J.X~tJLl\JlL   J^cln.vl^    ll\JLiJ\jy                                                  •  • 

15 

0 

0 

— — —  1\T/^ (!  1  p1  1  n n n  nnrl  ntlipvc;  tnni^'-^— 

From  John  Passmore,  mare,  bridle,  &C.5     •  • 

31 

1 

0 

'l^hnmn*5  Tvwin  tnnlr  

J~  lx\J  111  i\0    XI  Mill    LwL/  a. 

rvom  rjlli^?  riicipv   pnit  finn  two  hpi  1  pi'c; 

X  1  vjiii       nio  XLtovy,   V/iw/lu  dlli-l   v>t'-'  iiciicio,         •  • 

26 

0 

0 

TT  pn  VT7  ATr*(;l  p11  fl  Ttf\    iiT\(\  othpT*c!    too  If 

XACll  I  V    XTA  L'V.yidlU'llVA,    OtHKi,   L^tl-lClO,    L  VJ  W IV 

T^vom  fxPorcrp  TTa rim    two  imi'pci  fin^l  hlinlcpt 

JL  1  \J  llX    \A\,\JL^\^    XXcLIIlILI,    1/ >  t  U    lUcliC/O    (llllX    U 1  ll  li  IV  v  • 

30 

16 

0 

Samiipl    AfpnipllnTirl    frporcrp  (^onplnnrl  .TfiTTiP^ 

KJ  <X  111  U  ^  X      XTA  \j  V_/  lvll(i<I1^4j     \A  \^  \J  L  il  C     \J  \J  lJ\^l*JUH\,k^  C^tiillVO 

McCarlin,  and  others,  with  muskets  and  other 

avm<^  toolv  

From  rTosf^nh  T^vIp  n  horso  hridlp  Sz^o 

19 

5 

0 

"    Thomas  Jackson,  mare  and  blanket, 

31 

5 

0 

"    Caleb  Jackson,  two  cows,  ten  sheep,  &c., 

19 

0 

0 

"    Caleb  Hurford,  horse  and  bridle. 

30 

0 

0 

"    Caleb  Johnson,  mare  and  blanket. 

28 

15 

0 

"    John  Jackson,  Jr., yoke  01  oxen,  two  cows,  &c. 

,  24 

12 

0 

"    Caleb  Swayne,  young  mare, 

30 

0 

0 

"    Jonathan  Chalfant,  watch  and  blanket. 

9 

0 

0 

"          "           "       for  a  balance,  bull, 

5 

0 

0 

"    Jlidwara  Hoin,  mare  and  bridle. 

30 

4 

0 

1778. — "  Robert  McGomery,  by  orders  from 

Thomas  Strawbridge,  took — 

From  James  Way,  a  horse  and  mare, 

37 

0 

0 

"    Thomas  Millhouse,  colt  and  bridle,  . 

20 

0 

0 

"    Thomas  Wood,  a  mare,  .... 

16 

0 

0 

"    Jacob  Wood,  a  horse,  .... 

22 

0 

0 

"    John  Wickersham,  a  mare, 

20 

0 

0 

"    George  Passmore,  a  mare. 

23 

0 

0 

"    Lewis  Pusey,  a  horse,  .... 

28 

0 

0 

378 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


From  John  Pusey,  a  mare,       .       .       .  ' 

£30 

Os 

.Od. 

"    Joshua  Pusey,  a  mare,  .... 

24 

0 

0 

"    Francis  Lamborn,  a  horse. 

12 

0 

0 

"    Thomas  Lamborn,  a  mare. 

25 

0 

0 

"    Josiah  Lamborn,  horse  and  20  bus.  corn,  . 

12 

0 

0 

>"    Joseph  Hichardson,  mare, 

25 

0 

0 

"    Stephen  Cook,  mare  and  colt,  . 

18 

0 

0 

"    Samuel  Jackson,  two  horses,  gear,  &c.. 

36 

5 

0 

"    Francis  Wilkinson,  mare. 

20 

0 

0 

"    Samuel  Sharp,  yoke  of  oxen,  . 

28 

0 

0 

"    Richard  Flower,  horse,  wagon,  &c.,  . 

32 

0 

0 

"    Rumford  Dawes,  mare,  .... 

20 

0 

0 

"    William  Allen,  40  bushels  wheat,  6s., 

12 

0 

0 

"    Jacob  Halliday,  mare,  .... 

15 

0 

0 

By  an  order  from  Andrew  Boyd,  John  Sharp  took 

From  Joshua  Edwards,  a  horse  and  bridle. 

15 

5 

0 

And  by  orders  from  said  Boyd,  James  Dunn  took- 

From  Joel  Baily,  mare  and  cow, 

32 

0 

0 

"    David  Windle,  mare,  .... 

28 

0 

0 

"    Samuel  Swayne,  horse  and  three  cattle,  . 

29 

0 

0 

"    Caleb  Pennock,  horse,  .... 

25 

0 

0 

"    William  Windle,  two  cows  and  three  cattle, 

18 

0 

0 

"    Caleb  Johnson  (a  balance),  two  cows. 

15 

0 

0 

"    Isaac  Pyle,  one  heifer  and  eight  sheep. 

11 

0 

0 

"    William  Baily,  twenty-one  yards  linen. 

2 

12 

6 

"    Elisha  Baily,  cart,  and  watch,  . 

11 

0 

0 

And  by  an  order  from  said  Boyd,  was  taken  by 

Francis  Ruth — 

From  Isaac  Woodraw,  mare  and  bridle, 

28 

0 

0 

"    Caleb  Pusey,  young  mare, 

26 

0 

0 

And  for  a  fine  for  Moses  Windle,  six  young  cattle, 

22 

0 

0 

From  Aaron  Baker,  Jr.,  feather-bed. 

6 

0 

0 

"    Joseph  Pyle,  three  cows,  .... 

19 

10 

0 

"    Jeremiah  Barnard,  one  fat  steer,  being  for 

a  fine  charged  on  his  nephew  of  the  same 

name,  ....... 

9 

11 

0 

£1130    8s.  6d. 


SUFFERINGS. 


379 


"N.B. — The  demands  on  account  of  the  above  were  from 
about  £'2'2  to  about  .£50;  but  it  "was  difficult  for  Friends  to 
ascertain  them  exactly ; — the  persons  'who  collected  them,  in 
several  instances  demanding  considerable  more  from  the  same 
person  at  one  time  than  another,  for  the  same  fine.  And,  though 
the  value  here  set  down  to  the  eifects  taken,  may  appear  lower 
than  the  demand,  they  being  here  valued  at  moderate  prices, 
as  they  might  have  sold  for  several  years  ago.  But  goods 
being  now  got  to  an  extravagant  price,  occasioned  by  the  very 
large  quantities  and  small  credit  of  paper  currency  issued  for 
carrying  on  the  present  war,  it  is  likely  these  mostly  sold  for  as 
much  as  the  demand  ;  and  some,  as  we  have  been  informed,  for 
much  more." 

1779. — "  A  concern  being  revived  that  our  brethren  in 
profession  may  be  preserved  from  complying  with  the  payment 
of  taxes,  or  other  requisitions  for  the  support  of  war,  it  is 
agreed  that  the  members  of  this  committee  may,  in  each 
branch  of  the  meeting,  divide  into  suitable  companies,  and 
visit  all  belonging  to  our  Monthly  Meeting,  whom  they  appre- 
hend to  be  in  any  danger  of  being  taken  in  these  snares,  in 
order  for  their  encouragement  to  faithfulness." 

Having  completed  the  extracts  from  the  minutes  of  New 
Garden  Monthly  Meeting's  Committee  on  Sufi'erings,  it  will  be 
necessai'y  to  go  back  a  little,  to  commence  with  those  of  the 
Conference  of  Committees,  already  mentioned.  The  first 
minute  in  our  possession  is, — 

1779,— "At  a  Meeting  for  Conference,  held  the  1st  of 
second  month,  1779,  present  fifteen  Friends  appointed  by 
the  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  thirty-two  by  the  Monthly  Meet- 
ings;  also  our  friend  Thomas  Carleton. 

"  The  Friends  appointed  to  visit  some  officers  or  persons 
concerned  in  levying  fines,  &c,,  have  all  attended  to  the  ser- 
vice, and  produced  a  report,  viz. : — 

"  Agreeable  with  the  intention  of  our  appointment,  we  have 
conferred  together,  and,  dividing  into  several  companies,  pro- 


380 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


ceeded  to  visit  Robert  Smith,  called  sheriff  and  lieutenant  of 
the  county  ;  Andrew  Boyd  and  Robert  Wilson,  sub-lieutenants; 
John  Evans,  one  of  the  judges ;  Evan  Evans  and  John  Ham- 
mons,  magistrates, — all  in  this  county  ;  and,  in  the  county  of 
Newcastle,  Evan  Reese  and  James  Black,  magistrates;  and 
James  Boggs,  collector ;  and  had  opportunity  of  laying  be- 
fore them  the  reasons  and  grounds  of  our  refusal  to  comply 
with  several  requisitions,  made  for  the  support  of,  or  that  have 
near  connection  with,  war;  and  to  open  our  principles,  and  the 
consistency  thereof  with  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  as  set 
forth  in  the  New  Testament  and  pointed  out  by  the  prophets, 
and  the  inconsistency  of  Christians  oppressing  one  another  for 
conscience  sake. 

"  They  generally  appeared  friendly,  and  to  receive  our  visit 
kindly,  some  of  them  particularly  so  ;  and  most  of  them  ac- 
knowledged that  the  prophecies  concerning  the  disuse  of 
carnal  weapons,  pointed  to  the  Gospel  dispensation,  and  Avas 
much  to  be  desired. 

"  We  had  good  satisfaction  in  the  performance  of  this  service, 
believing  truth  owned  it,  and  that  there  is  encouragement  for 
Friends  to  use  further  endeavors  of  this  kind.  Signed,  on 
behalf  of  the  committee,  by — 

"  Thomas  Pimm." 

"The  committee  is  continued  to  the  service,  and  Abraham 
Gibbons,  William  Downing,  Joseph  England,  Elisha  Brown,  and 
Jacob  Starr,  added." 

"And,  as  there  are  collectors  in  many  townships  or  hun- 
dreds, now  employed  to  collect  taxes  that  are  for  the  support  of 
or  that  have  near  connection  with  war,  it  is  desired  that  the  com- 
mittees in  suffering  cases,  in  each  Monthly  Meeting,  would  take 
this  matter  under  their  solid  consideration,  and  if  way  should 
open,  visit  those  collectors,  and  lay  before  them  the  reasons  why 
we  cannot  comply  with  demands  of  such  a  nature." 

Third  month,  1779. — "Several  of  us,  since  last  meeting, 
have  visited  Sketchly  Morton  and  Daniel  Lloyd,  commissioners 
in  this  county,  in  which  opportunities,  way  opened  for  their 


SUFFERINGS. 


381 


information,  agreeably  to  our  report  to  last  meeting.  We  had 
good  satisfaction  in  visiting  them,  and  have  reason  to  hope  it 
may  be  of  some  service  to  the  visited.  They  manifested,  by 
their  conduct  and  disposition,  some  regard  to,  and  sense  of,  our 
visit,  and  expressed  satisfaction  therewith." 

"  Our  friends,  Thomas  Lightfoot,  Joshua  Baldwin,  William 
Marshall,  and  Samuel  Trimble,  attended  this  meeting  by 
appointment,  from  the  committee  in  suffering  cases  belonging  to 
Chester  Quarter,  in  order  to  confer  with  us  in  the  above  concern, 
who  are  desired  to  join  with  said  committee  in  considering  of 
the  concern." 

"  The  committee  is  continued,  and  Joseph  Husbands,  William 
Cole,  Jr.,  and  John  Cowgill,  added,  to  use  further  endeavors  as 
way  may  open." 

Fourth  month,  1779. — "  Several  of  us  have  been  engaged, 
since  last  meeting,  in  the  service  we  were  appointed  to,  and 
have  visited,  in  Newcastle  County,  George  Evans,  called 
lieutenant  of  the  county;  George  Craighead,  magistrate;  John 
Strawbridge,  sheriff  of  Cecil  County,  Maryland  ;  and  in  Chester 
County,  Lewis  Gronaw,  lieutenant ;  William  Evans,  James 
Moore,  Robert  Smith,  and  Philip  Scott,  magistrates ;  and  had 
full  and  satisfactory  opportunities  with  most  of  them, 
which  all  of  them,  except  two,  seemed  to  receive  kindly,"  &c. 

As  the  service  appeared  to  be  nearly  gone  through,  the  com- 
mittee was  now  released,  yet  special  committees  were  appointed, 
from  time  to  time,  as  occasion  required.  In  this  way  were 
subsequently  visited,  Thomas  Clarke,  commissioner ;  Moses 

Erwins,  Patrick  Ewin,  Patterson  Bell,  magistrates;  ? 

sheriff  of  Hartford  County,  Maryland ;  John  Marshall,  sub- 
lieutenant ;  Daniel  Mackey,  sheriff ;  and  Andrew  Boyd,  com- 
missioner. 

Eighth  month,  1779. — "  Present,  fifteen  Friends  appointed 
by  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  forty-one  by  the  Monthly 
Meetings." 

"A  concern  having  often  arisen  in  this  committee,  and  [being] 


382 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLT  QUAKERISM. 


livingly  reviewed  at  this  time,  that  Friends  might  exert  them- 
selves in  laboring  to  have  their  brethren  convinced  of  the 
pernicious  consequences  of  continuing  to  circulate  the  Conti- 
nental currency,  so  called,  it  being  calculated  to  promote 
measures  repugnant  to  the  peaceable  principles  we  profess  to  be 
led  by,  and  having  [as  we  believe]  greatly  increased  our  suffer- 
ings, and  brought  dimness  over  many,  by  continuing  in  the  use 
thereof ;  it  is  therefore  agreed  to  mention  it  to  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  for  consideration." 

Friends  had  strong  reasons  for  objecting  to  the  use  of  this 
Continental  money. 

The  creation  by  law  of  a  circulating  medium  of  fictitious 
value,  for  the  purpose  of  a  gradual  depreciation,  cannot  be 
reconciled  with  truth  and  justice,  however  necessity  may  seem 
to  require  it.  To  say  to  the  people  you  shall  pass  this  paper 
for  a  certain  nominal  value  to-day,  but  only  at  a  less  value  to- 
morrow, and  still  less  the  day  following,  till  it  becomes  entirely 
valueless,  is  a  repudiation  of  a  contract, — a  refusal  to  pay  a  debt 
by  the  Government.  As  a  substitute  for  taxation,  its  operation 
is  extremely  unequal,  and  therefore  to  the  same  degree  unjust. 
Viewed  in  this  light,  it  was  strictly  a  requisition  for  carrying 
on  the  war,  which  Friends  could  not  consistently  pay. 

First  month,  1780. — "  Mention  being  now  made  that  David 
Mackey  (called  high-sheriff  of  this  county)  is  likely  to  be 
instrumental  iu  distressing  Friends  for  conscientiously  refusing 
to  serve  as  assessors,  or  collectors  of  the  taxes  for  military 
uses;  in  order  that  the  nature  of  such  unrighteous  proceedings 
may  be  weightily  laid  before  him,  a  freedom  arose  at  this  time 
to  appoint  Abraham  Gibbons,  Jacob  Lindley,  Richard  Barnard, 
Benjamin  Mason,  and  Thomas  Millhouse,  to  endeavor  to  dis- 
charge a  Christian  duty  to  him,  and  labor  according  to  ability 
given,  to  convince  him  of  the  inconsistency  of  such  conduct 
with  the  Gospel  spirit." 

For  four  consecutive  months  the  committee  made  report  that 


SUFFERINGS. 


383 


"  they  have  endeavored  to  comply  therewith,  hut  have  not  suc- 
ceeded."   But  in  the — 

Sixth  month,  1780. — "  They  had  a  full  and  solid  opportunity 
with  him,  and  endeavored  to  lay  before  him  the  inconsistency 
of  his  conduct  in  the  execution  of  his  office,  with  the  spirit  of 
Christianity,  and  to  open  the  nature  and  consistency  of  our 
principles  with  the  peaceable  kingdom  of  Christ." 

"  Friends  from  Nottingham  inform  that  a  number  of  their 
members  are  summoned  to  appear  at  a  court  at  Cecil.  In  order 
that  the  testimony  of  Truth  may  not  suffer  thereby,  William 
Swayne,  Joseph  Husbands,  John  Truman,  John  Way,  Amos 
Davis,  William  Mode,  and  Joseph  Richardson,  are  appointed 
to  attend,  with  the  committee  of  that  Monthly  Meeting,  in  a 
solid  opportunity  with  those  Friends,  and  to  give  them  such 
advice  (or  otherwise  assist  them)  as  best  wisdom  may  direct." 

The  precise  character  of  the  summons  does  not  appear  from 
the  record,  but  was  probably  some  illegal  or  irregular  process 
issued  to  coerce  or  intimidate  Friends  to  a  compliance  with 
military  requisitions. 

"  They  mostly  attended,  and  gave  such  advice  as  they  were 
then  favored  with,  which  appeared  to  be  well  received. 

"  As  there  appears  some  deficiency  in  collecting  suffering 
cases,  the  sense  of  Friends  being  expressed  thereon,  it  appears 
to  be  the  mind  of  this  meeting,  that  the  committees,  or  some 
of  them,  in  taking  accounts,  should  visit  each  family,  in  order 
to  inspect  into  the  nature  of  their  sufferings,  and  to  excite 
them  to  faithfulness  therein." 

1780. — "Joshua  Pusey,  Jacob  Lindley,  Joseph  Richardson, 
and  Thomas  Millhouse,  are  appointed  to  visit  William  White- 
side, who  hath  been  active  in  taking  Friends'  property  for  de- 
mands of  taxes  for  purposes  of  war,  and  inform  him  of  the 
grounds  of  our  refusal ;  and,  as  they  may  be  enabled,  lay  the 
weight  of  the  testimony  upon  him."  They  reported,  "That 
three  of  them  had  a  full  opportunity,  and  Avere  enabled  to  open 
matters  to  him,  to  the  ease  of  their  own  minds." 


384 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


Ninth  month,  1781. — "  It  appearing  that  great  spoil  and 
havoc  have  been  made  of  Friends'  goods  by  extravagant 
seizures,  and  a  prospect  that  sufferings  may  increase,  Avhereby 
great  distress  may,  in  all  probability,  be  the  portion  of  many 
families,  a  concern  now  arose  that  we  may  be  clear  of  the  blood 
of  those  who  execute  such  unrighteous  laws  and  proceedings, 
and  also  that  we  may  manifest  a  due  regard  to  our  suifering 
brethren;  wherefore  it  is  left  with  Friends  of  the  Monthly 
Meetings  committees,  if  way  opens  to  them,  to  visit  the  col- 
lectors, in  order  to  obtain  of  them  a  regular  account  of  the 
seizures  and  sales  of  Friends'  goods,  the  better  to  enable  us  to 
convince  them  of  their  wrong  proceedings.*  And  the  following 


*  Accordingly,  New  Garden's  committee  minuted  the  following,  viz. : — 
"  Friends  having  reason  to  believe  that  several  of  those  who  are  employed 
as  collectors  have,  in  many  instances,  distressed  Friends  farther  than  the 
law  required,  it  is  thought  best,  that  we  may  be  able  to  have  a  clear  account 
of  their  proceedings,  in  order,  if  necessary,  to  lay  them  before  their  em- 
ployers, that  some  Friends  do  visit  them,  and,  on  behalf  of  our  friends, 
request  a  particular  account  of  the  demands,  seizures,  and  sales  of  Friends' 
goods." 

From  the  minutes  which  have  been  preserved,  it  appears  that 
Joshua  Pusey, 

were 
appointed 
to  visit 


Thomas  Wood, 
Joseph  Moore, 
Jacob  Halliday,  and 
Thomas  Millhouse, 
William  Swayne, 
Joel  Baily, 
Isaac  Jackson, 
Daniel  Thompson, 
Henry  Chalfant, 
Isaac  Pyle, 
Jeremiah  Barnard, 
Joseph  Moore, 
^Joseph  Richardson, 
Joseph  Moore, 
Thomas  Wood, 
Jeremiah  Barnard, 


William  Thompson, 
Francis  Williamson,  and 
James  Williamson. 


to  visit 


to  visit 


to  visit 


to  visit 


to  visit 


Joseph  Lucky, 
Ezekiel  Bowen. 

William  Whiteside. 


David  Mackev. 


John  Hindman. 


Robert  Nethery. 


From  the  reports,  it  appears  that  AVilliam  Whiteside  promptly  refused  to 
comply  with  their  request. 


SUFFERINGS. 


385 


Friends  are  named  to  take  the  subject  of  visiting  the  commis- 
sioners, or  others  under  authority,  under  their  weighty  con- 
sideration, and  to  proceed  therein  as  best  wisdom  may  direct." 

This  concern  led  to  much  arduous  and  faithful  labor,  by 
appointments  both  fi-om  the  Conference  and  the  Monthly  Meet- 
ings committees.    A  few  extracts  may  suffice. 

Reported  to  Conference : — "  We  proceeded  to  Lancaster, 
and  had  a  seasonable  opportunity  with  Samuel  Boyd,  lately 
chosen  commissioner,  who  appeared  sensible  of  the  unequal 
burdens  and  great  oppression  laid  on  Friends  and  some  others, 
and,  we  apprehend,  was  disposed  to  be  moderate  in  the  execu- 
tion of  his  office,  and  expressed  a  desire  that  our  case  might 
be  stated  and  laid  before  the  Assembly. 

"  Then  proceeded  to  visit  John  Hopkins,  called  sub-lieu- 
tenant, and  endeavored  to  lay  the  iniquity  of  his  conduct  upon 
him.  He  felt  to  us  dark  and  unfeeling,  yet  heard  us  with  a 
degree  of  patience.  We  left  him  much  silenced.  Proceeded 
to  John  Slaymakers,  a  commissioner,  with  whom  Ave  had  a  solid, 
favored  sitting,  and  believe  he  was  reached  with  a  sense  of 
Friends'  distresses,  and  expressed  uneasiness  with  his  office,  be- 
cause of  the  difficulties  it  subjected  him  to.  Through  this  visit 
we  were  supported  with  a  degree  of  Divine  strength  and  inno- 
cent boldness,  to  bear  our  testimony  to  the  raising  of  the 
standard  of  the  Prince  of  Peace. 

"  The  Friends  appointed  to  visit  Joseph  Strawbridge  report, 
they  have  attended  thereto,  and  three  of  them  had  a  full  op- 
portunity with  him  to  a  good  degree  of  satisfaction." 

12th  month,  1781. — "  A  consideration  being  now  opened 
concerning  the  tendency  of  the  oppressive  laws  now  in  force  in 

Francis  Williamson,  James  Williamson,  Joseph  Lucky,  Ezekiel  Bowen. 
and  David  Mackey,  all  gave  promise,  but  afterwards  refused. 
William  Thompson  presented  a  full  account. 

Concerning  Robert  Nethery  and  John  Hindman,  the  record  is  not  com- 
plete.   The  latter  had  promised  to  comply. 


25 


386 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


our  country,  and  a  desire  prevailing,  as  at  a  preceding  meet- 
ing, that  the  nature  and  iniquity  thereof  might  be  laid  before 
those  in  legislative  power,  and  considerable  time  being  spent  in 
Friends  solidly  expressing  their  sentiments  thereon ;  intima- 
tion also  being  given  that  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  desire  that 
Friends  might  send  up  such  materials  as  appear  suitable  on 
the  occasion ;  therefore,  Thomas  Millhouse,  Joshua  Pusey, 
George  Churchman,  William  Downing,  William  Lamborn, 
James  Bennet,  Amos  Davis,  Isaac  Coates,  Nathan  Cope, 
Benjamin  Hough,  Joshua  Brown,  William  Harvey,  Jacob 
Lindley,  William  Swayne,  James  Jackson,  Joseph  Brinton, 
Thomas  Fisher,  Thomas  Baldwin,  and  Benjamin  Mason,  are 
appointed  to  meet  together  and  confer  thereon,  and,  as  way 
opens,  prepare  and  present  to  that  meeting  what  appears  best ; 
and  the  committees  of  Monthly  Meetings  to  furnish  them  with 
cases  or  sufferings  of  Friends  for  that  purpose." 

"  Who  now  report,  that  seven  of  them  attended  (the  Meeting 
for  Sufferings)  with  the  essay,  which  was  revised,  and  with 
Friends'  attention  and  concern,  approved  by  that  meeting. 
And  said  Friends  were  encouraged  by  them  to  present  the 
representation  to  the  Assembly ;  where  it  was  read,  during 
which  there  appeared  an  increasing  solemnity  among  the  mem- 
bers of  that  House,  and  was  by  them  agreed  to  be  further  con- 
sidered. 

"  Which  appears  satisfactory  to  this  meeting,  and  is  as 
follows : 

"  To  the  General  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania  : — 

"  Some  observations  offered  to  the  serious  consideration  of 
those  in  legislative  authority,  by  a  number  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Lancaster  County  and  the  western  part  of  Chester  County, 
on  behalf  of  themselves  and  many  other  peaceable  sufferers, 
who  are  restrained,  by  a  principle  of  tender  conscience,  from 
joining  or  contributing  towards  the  support  of  warlike  measures, 
lest  they  should  offend  him  Avho  is  the  Supreme  Lord  of 
conscience  and  dread  of  nations. 

"  Also,  a  representation,  offered  from  a  sense  of  duty,  con- 


SUFFERINGS. 


387 


cerning  the  cruel  havoc  and  spoil  of  the  property  of  many  in- 
dustrious people  under  some  late  laws. 

"  The  people  called  Quakers,  ever  since  they  became  a 
religious  Society,  under  every  power,  in  every  nation,  island, 
and  pi'ovince,  where  they  have  lived,  have,  as  a  body,  been 
men  of  peace.  Nor  can  they  act  inconsistent  w  ith  this  cha- 
iracter  while  they  live  up  to  their  principles,  founded  on  the 
doctrine  and  precepts  of  the  Prince  of  Peace,  our  Lord  and 
Saviour,  and  his  apostles  and  followers.  These  teach  us  not 
to  resist  evil,  to  do  violence  to  no  man,  to  love  our  enemies,  to 
follow  peace  with  all  men,  to  seek  the  good  of  all,  and  to  have 
no  fellowship  with  the  unfruitful  works  of  darkness.  These 
peaceable  fruits  are  produced  by  taking  heed  to  the  manifes- 
tations of  the  Spirit  or  Grace  of  God,  which  hath  appeared 
unto  all  men,  teaching  and  assisting  those  who  believe  in  and 
observe  it,  to  live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly,  in  this  pre- 
sent world;  to  deny  pride,  envy,  strife,  with  all  ungodliness 
and  the  world's  lusts,  from  whence  contention  about  worldly 
matters,  wars,  and  fightings  proceed.  This  doctrine  we  believe 
ought  to  have  great  weight  with  all  Christians,  being  expressly 
taught  and  clearly  held  forth  in  the  New  Testament,  as  abso- 
lutely needful  to  be  observed,  which  we  may  find  was  also 
taught  and  maintained  by  Christians  of  the  first  three  hundred 
years  after  Christ. 

"  Therefore,  why  should  Christian  rulers  of  this  age  seek  to 
suppress  it,  by  laying  grievous  burdens  on  those  Avho  appre- 
hend they  are  called,  and  in  duty  to  the  Almighty  believe 
themselves  religiously  bound  to  maintain  it  ?  Or  why  should 
any  think  it  strange  if  this  peaceable  doctrine  should  spread 
more,  and  even  rise  higher  in  these  latter  days  than  for  many 
ages  past,  seeing  many  prophecies  in  Scripture  give  us  en- 
couragement and  sufficient  grounds  to  believe  that  it  will  rise 
and  spread. 

"  And  although  individuals  may  have  fallen  short,  yet  we  as 
a  religious  body  have  endeavored  to  maintain  this  testimony, 
through  all  the  changes  in  power  which  have  happened  since 
we  were  a  people.    Neither  have  the  difficulties  we  have  been 


388 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


subjected  to  in  these  latter  days  of  contest  lessened  our  con- 
stancy herein,  nor  our  zeal  for  the  advancement  of  this  peace- 
able doctrine  and  testimony,  however  we  may  be  misrepresented 
by  some  as  being  obstinate,  or  having  party  views  to  promote. 

"Now  we  think  it  necessary  to  inform  you,  that  being  lately 
met  together  (near  fifty  persons)  to  consider  of  the  circum- 
stances of  our  suffering  brethren,  we  were  sensibly  affected 
with  the  accounts  of  increasing  sufferings,  which  have  been 
remarkably  felt,  especially  in  these  parts,  for  our  adherence  to 
the  peaceable  principles  before  mentioned,  whereby  many 
respectable  families  are,  and  others  likely  to  be,  much  deprived 
of  the  means  of  procuring  the  necessaries  of  life  ;  by  having 
their  grain,  horses,  cattle,  sheep,  household  goods,  &c.,  in  an 
extraordinary  manner  wrested  from  them,  for  demands  of  fines 
and  taxes  imposed  by  late  laws,  which,  for  the  reasons  afore- 
said, they  are  conscientiously  restrained  from  complying  with. 
And  feeling  near  sympathy  for  all  sufferers  on  these  accounts, 
and  much  good-will  towards  those  who  are  or  have  been  the 
instruments  thereof,  we  are  concerned  to  lay  before  you,  who 
are  in  legislative  authority,  a  representation  of  some  striking 
circumstances,  which  we  apprehend  demands  your  serious 
attention. 

"  Visits  having  been  paid  by  some  of  us  in  a  friendly  man- 
ner, to  divers  officers  concerned  in  the  executive  part,  who  we 
find  shelter  themselves  under  the  laws  now  in  force ;  and  at 
the  same  time  some  of  them  express  a  sense  of  the  injustice 
and  unequal  burdens  thereby  imposed.  And  as  it  is  righteous- 
ness alone  that  exalteth  a  nation,  oppression  on  those  who  are 
under  religious  restraints  being  displeasing  to  the  Lord,  and 
thereby  of  dangerous  consequence  to  the  well-being  of  any 
country,  ought  much  to  be  feared  by  those  in  authority,  lest 
they  draw  down  his  displeasure.  We  doubt  not,  but  if  you 
seriously  Aveigh  the  following  propositions  and  representation 
of  matters  of  fact  herewith  presented,  and  bring  things  to 
trial,  by  that  unerring  standard  whereunto,  sooner  or  later, 
we  shall  all  be  brought,  you  may  be  favored  to  see  and  judge 
aright. 


SUFFERINGS. 


389 


"  First.  Whether  laws  imposing  fines  on  those  who,  in 
obedience  to  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  are  restrained  from  mus- 
tering to  learn  warlike  exercise,  or  from  marching  out  in  a 
warlike  manner,  and  giving  liberty  to  hard-hearted  men, 
officers  and  others,  whereby  the  property  of  honest,  industrious 
persons,  at  a  rate  double,  treble,  or  sometimes  manifold  more 
in  value  than  the  sums  demanded,  are,  without  mercy,  torn 
away  from  the  proper  owners,  can  be  safely  approbated  and 
continued  by  a  legislative  hodj  composed  of  members  pro- 
fessing faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  who  blessed  the  peacemakers,  the 
meek,  and  the  merciful,  and  at  whose  tribunal  righteousness 
only  will  meet  with  approbation  ? 

"  Second.  Whether  laws  imposing  heavy  taxes,  which  are 
often  very  unequally  laid,  and  doubled,  or  in  a  higher  propor- 
tion, on  those  who  are  religiously  restrained  from  taking  a 
test,  or  giving  in  returns  of  their  estates  upon  affirmation,  and 
who  cannot  join  with  or  contribute  towards  the  support  of  war, 
should  continue,  or  can  be  countenanced  by  Christian  legisla- 
tors, where  they  pay  a  proper  regard  to  equity  in  the  sight  of 
the  Almighty,  who  will  plead  the  cause  of  the  oppressed,  and 
render  to  all  men,  in  every  station,  a  reward  according  to  their 
works  ? 

"  Third.  Whether  guilt  is  not  likely  to  be  increased  on 
that  country  where  laws  are  enforced  requiring  the  unusual 
imposition  of  oaths,  rendering  such  solemnities  cheap  and 
trifling,  whereby  weak  and  earthly-minded  persons  may  be 
brought  under  temptation  to  swear  falsely,  or  to  make  false 
returns  to  save  themselves  from  high  taxation ;  and  their  inno- 
cent neighbors,  who  cannot  swear  at  all,  because  Christ  hath 
forbidden  it,  nor  take  an  affirmation  to  countenance  taxation 
for  warlike  purposes,  are  brought  under  the  penalties  of  unjust 
and  exaggerated  levies,  whereby  their  property  is  rent  from 
them,  often  as  it  were  by  wholesale ;  allowing  room  for  col- 
lectors to  become  purchasers  themselves  of  their  neighbor's 
goods  greatly  under  value,  whilst  men  who  would  choose  to  act 
in  moderation,  care  not  to  take  upon  them  such  offices  under 
those  laws? 


390  RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


"  Other  things  respecting  the  laws  above  hinted  at,  and  their 
effects,  might  bo  mentioned,  concerning  the  insolent  conduct  of 
collectors  and  others  under  them ;  some  of  whom  have  rifled 
houses,  broken  doors,  &c.,  while  suSicient  property  was  to  be  had 
without  such  measures.  Likewise  the  bringing  in  pistols,  and 
other  warlike  weapons,  in  an  imperious,  hostile  manner  among 
peaceable,  tender  women  and  innocent  children,  while  their 
husbands  and  fathers  were  absent.  And  this,  with  much  other 
unchristian  conduct  and  severity,  all  done  under  color  of  exe- 
cuting the  laws,  which  wc  incline  not  to  enlarge  upon,  com- 
mitting our  cause  to  the  Lord,  the  righteous  Judge ;  humbly 
believing  that  where  his  fear  prevails,  equity  will  take  place, 
unrighteous  laws  and  unequal  burdens  cease,  and  the  atten- 
tion of  those  in  authority  be  principally  given  to  things  which 
are  for  the  promotion  of  peace  on  earth  and  the  proper  execution 
of  justice,  for  the  punishment  of  evil-doers,  and  the  praise  of 
them  that  do  well. 

"A  specimen  of  the  sufferings  of  Friends  in  parts  of  Chester 
and  Lancaster  Counties  in  the  cases  following  named  :  not 
chosen  as  the  most  oppressive,  but  briefly  to  represent  the 
general  devastation  of  property  for  non-compliance  with 
requisitions  appertaining  to  war,  since  the  beginning  of  last 
year. 

"  From  Samuel  Cope,  three  horse-creatures,  a 
yoke  of  oxen,  seven  other  cattle,  fifteen  sheep, 
nine  swine,  seventy-five  bushels  of  wheat, 
twenty  of  corn,  ten  yards  fine  linen,  a  ton  of 
hay,  &c  £126    8  6 

From  Abiah  Taylor,  six  horse-creatures,  nine 
cattle,  sixteen  sheep,  two  swine,  a  feather-bed, 
two  casks  of  flour,  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  bushels  wheat,  and  seventy  of  corn,  rye, 
and  buckwheat,   234    1  G 

From  John  Hoopes,  Jr.,  four  horse-creatures,  a 
yoke  of  oxen,  seventeen  other  cattle,  thirty 
sheep,  six  swine,  a  watch,  five  sides  of  leather, 
&c   233  15  0 


SUFFERINGS. 


391 


From  Moses  Coatcs,  two  horse-creatures,  nine 
cattle,  four  sheep,  cash  £5,  and  four  and  a 
half  cwt.  of  iron,  £98  11  0 

From  Benjamin  Ilutton,  a  horse,  nine  cattle, 
thirty  and  a  half  bushels  corn,  and  bed  cloth- 
ing,  .       .       .       .       .       .       .       .      GG  16  9 

From  William  Dixon,  four  horse-creatures,  and 

six  bushels  of  wheat,  .....    101  19  0 

Fi'om  Thomas  Millhouse,  a  large  yoke  of  oxen, 
ten  other  cattle,  a  mare,  four  sheep,  eighteen 
bushels  oats,  wearing  apparel,  &c.       .       .      96  18  0 

From  John  Pusey,  three  horse-creatures,  four- 
teen cattle,  and  bed  clothing,       .       .       .    100    2  6 

From  Moses  Brinton,  twenty-one  cattle,  fifty- 
two  bushels  wheat,  ten  of  rye,  and  seven  and 
a  half  tons  of  hay,   122    9  0 

From  Andrew  Moore,  one  horse,  twelve  cattle, 
a  wagon,  and  other  farming  utensils,  and 
household  furniture,    .        .        .        .        .      7G    8  6 

From  John  Webster,  Jr.,  two  cows,  thirteen 
sheep,  a  hog,  a  case  of  drawers,  a  hearse,  a 

cart,  &c  26  15  0 

He  being  a  tradesman  in  low  circumstances, 
holding  no  land. 

From  Isaiah  Brown,  one  cow,  six  bushels  of  corn 
one  hundred  and  twenty  pounds  of  bacon,  a 
stack  of  hay,  smith's  bellows,  &c.        .       .      21    6  0 

He  holding  about  forty  acres  of  land,  and  in 
low  circumstances. 

From  John  Ferree,  four  horse-creatures,  thirteen 
cattle,  seven  and  a  half  bushels  of  wheat, 
twenty  of  clean  rye,  one  stack  of  do.,  forty 
bushels  of  corn,  two  stacks  of  oats,  and  one 

of  hay,   187    7  0 

"  Within  one  of  our  Monthly  Meetings  alone  hath  been 

taken,  since  the  year  1777,  exclusive  of  the  late  large  tax 

and  divers  preceding  demands,  not  yet  taken  account  of  by 


392 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


US,  from  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  families,  property  to 
the  amount  of  £G108  19s.  11c?.,  rated  at  such  prices  as  the 
several  articles  would  have  generally  sold  for  eight  or  ten 
years  ago,  without  having  regard  to  the  fluctuating  prices  of 
later  years.  For  instance,  wheat  not  exceeding  6s.  Gd.  per 
bushel,  in  our  valuation,  and  other  things  in  proportion. 

"  Divers  of  those  recited  are  farmers  having  families  of 
small  children,  who  live  on  poorish  land,  and,  in  prosperous 
times,  just  lived  reputably  above  want ;  but  are,  with  many 
others,  so  reduced  by  the  conduct  of  collectors,  under  the 
sanction  of  law,  as  to  have  no  cow  left,  and  some  but  one 
horse,  some  no  sheep,  and  greatly  stripped  of  other  utensils, 
clothing,  &c. 

"  And  many  of  us,  before  we  were  acquainted  with  such 
usage,  had  purchased  plantations  to  live  on,  for  Avhich  we  run 
considerably  in  debt,  expecting,  through  the  blessing  of  Provi- 
dence on  our  industry,  to  have  paid  for  them  in  a  few  years  ; 
which  is  now  rendered  impracticable,  by  having  the  means 
taken  from  us,  even  to  a  considerably  greater  amount  than  our 
plantations  would  have  rented  for.  Thus  are  an  industrious 
and  very  considerable  part  of  the  community  made  a  spoil  of, 
and  many  likely  to  su0"er  for  the  necessaries  of  life,  if  a  stop 
is  not  put  to  such  proceedings ;  which,  in  the  end,  certainly 
will  greatly  affect  the  public,  as  well  as  themselves ;  for  it  is 
not  the  acquisition  of  large  tracts  of  uncultivated  land,  but  the 
produce  of  the  industrious,  raised  by  cultivation,  which  sup- 
ports the.  community  at  large. 

"  Signed,  on  behalf  and  by  appointment  of  the  committee 
aforesaid,  the  18th  of  twelfth  month,  1781,  by 

"Joshua  Brown,  "Benjamin  Mason, 

"  William  Swayne,      "  Joshua  Pusey, 
" BiCHARD  Barnard,     "Isaac  Coates, 
"Amos  Davis,  "Samuel  Cope." 

"  William  Lamborn, 
"  And  as  the  Friends  who  attended  the  Assembly  were  given 
to  understand  that  they  would  probably  be  called  upon  to 
answer  to  some  particulars  in  the  representation ;  therefore, 


SUFFERINGS. 


393 


in  order  tliat  the  said  Friends  may  bo  in  readiness  to  make 
suitable  reply,  Enoch  Wickersham,  James  Bennet,  John  Jack- 
son, Thomas  Wood,  Hezekiah  Howies,  Joseph  Edmundson, 
Isaac  Coates,  Thomas  Baldwin,  Robert  Moore,  and  William 
Downing,  are  appointed  to  endeavor  to  procure  well-attested 
accounts  of  the  particulars  alluded  to  therein." 

"  The  Friends  continued  to  attend  the  committee  of  the  As- 
sembly, called  a  Committee  on  Grievances,  now  report :  We, 
being  notified,  attended  at  Philadelphia,  and  endeavored  to  have 
an  opportunity  with  them,  though  only  eight  waited  to  hear  us  ; 
with  whom  we  had  a  pretty  full  opportunity,  which  was  in  a 
good  degree  satisfactory,  and  left  with  them  such  further  proofs 
of  the  oppressive  usage  mentioned  in  the  Representation,  as  to 
us  appeared  necessary." 

Eleventh  month,  1782. — "  Friends  from  Kennet  now  men- 
tion that  some  persons,  under  the  present  authority,  have  orders 
to  require  an  account  of  the  losses  which  the  inhabitants  sus- 
tained by  the  British  army ;  which  being  considered,  and  a 
desire  prevailing  that  all  our  members  may  be  preserved  from 
being  caught  in  any  snare,  to  the  wounding  of  their  minds  and 
the  reproach  of  our  testimony,  the  Monthly  Meetings'  com- 
mittees are  desired  to  warn  and  caution  such  as  they  apprehend 
may  be  in  danger." 

Eighth  month,  1785. — "  Friends  from  Bradford  mention, 
that  of  late,  duplicates  have  been  sent  to  a  number  of  their 
members,  in  order  to  impose  the  office  of  collector  of  the  public 
taxes  on  them,  with  heavy  fines  threatened  for  non-compliance 
therewith ;  the  principal  part  of  which  taxes  many  Friends 
conscientiously  refuse  to  pay,  it  being  raised  to  defray  the 
expenses  of  war. 

"And  some  Friends  appointed  by  Concord  Monthly  Meeting 
in  suffering  cases,  also  attended  here  with  a  minute,  setting 
forth  that  divers  of  their  members,  residing  in  the  township  of 
Bradford,  are  subjected  to  the  like  trial ;  and,  for  refusal,  are 
called  upon  to  appear  before  the  commissioners,  to  give  reasons 
for  their  conduct  therein. 

"  Which  case,  coming  solidly  under  consideration,  as  a 


394 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


matter  that  nearly  affects  our  peaceable  testimony,  and  deep 
suffering  likely  to  be  the  consequence  if  put  in  execution,  it  is  the 
sense  of  this  meeting  that  some  Friends  be  appointed,  to  unite 
with  those  to  wliom  the  duplicates  have  been  offered,  to  en- 
deavor weightily  to  lay  before  those  men  the  grounds  of  our 
Christian  testimony,  and  the  reasons  why  we  are  conscientiously 
bound  to  refuse  a  compliance  therewith :  wherefore,  William 
.Harvey,  Joshua  Pusey,  Jacob  Lindley,  and  Benjamin  Mason, 
are  nominated  for  that  purpose."  Who  reported,  "That 
three  of  them  attended  to  the  service,  and,  in  company  with 
the  said  Friends,  had  a  solid  opportunity  with  those  men,  and 
were  enabled  to  give  such  reasons  as  appeared  to  have  weight 
with  them.  They  behaved  respectfully  to  us,  and  appeared 
moderately  disposed." 

Second  month,  1786. — "A  subject  was  opened  by  Friends 
of  New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting,  respecting  the  conduct  of 
Robert  Smith,  (called)  lieutenant  of  the  county,  in  collecting 
or  proposing  to  collect  fines  which  have  already  been  collected, 
and  also  fines  for  not  marching  as  soldiers  in  the  year  1781, — in 
which  case  it  appears  that  the  ofiicers  had  countermanding 
orders  previous  to  the  day  proposed  for  marching.  And  under- 
standing that  the  Executive  Council  of  this  Government,  on 
complaint  against  the  said  Smith,  have  ordered  a  suspension 
of  his  proceedings  until  the  last  second-day  in  this  month,  when 
he  and  those  who  have  complained  are  to  have  a  heai'ing  before 
them ;  and  as  we  believe  his,  or  the  conduct  of  those  he  has 
employed,  has  been  rigorous  and  very  oppressive,  and  what  he 
has  in  prospect  unjust ;  and  also  as  a  door  is  now  opened, 
wherein  Friends  have  a  prospect,  not  only  of  laying  the  weight 
of  their  sufferings  before  that  body  of  men,  but  also  of  ad- 
vancing our  Christian  testimony :  therefore.  Friends  of  each 
Monthly  Meeting  are  desired  speedily  to  endeavor  to  collect  all 
such  materials  as  are  likely  to  answer  the  end  proposed  ;  and  the 
following  Friends  are  appointed  to  select  out  what  may  be 
suitable  to  lay  before  the  Council,  and  attend  therewith,  viz. : 
Enoch  Wickersham,  Moses  Pennock,  Jonathan  Button,  Wil- 
liam Harvey,  John  Parker,  Isaac  Jackson,  Jacob  Lindley,  John 


SUFFERINGS. 


395 


Jones,  Francis  Wilkinson,  Joseph  Richardson,  Caleb  Swayne, 
Thomas  Richards,  Benjamin  Mason,  Benjamin  Hough,  Edward 
Churchman,  Thomas  Baldwin,  Richard  Barnard,  Isaac  Coates, 
and  William  Iddings." 

1787. — "  This  being  the  last  Meeting  for  Conference,  being 
dissolved  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting  (at  their  own  suggestion), 
after  near  ten  years'  exercise  for  the  preservation  one  of 
another  in  a  line  of  conduct  that  -would  be  most  conducive  to 
the  advancement  of  our  Christian  testimony,  and  the  promotion 
of  the  increase  of  the  government  of  the  Prince  of  Peace, 
■which  -we  believe  will,  in  the  Lord's  time,  abolish  all  the  machi- 
nations of  -war,  swallow  up  all  wrath,  and  spread  from  the 
rising  of  the  sun  to  the  going  down  of  the  same." 

In  tracing  this  hasty  sketch  of  the  interesting  labors  of  the 
Meeting  for  Conference,  I  have  preferred  not  to  break  the  con- 
nection, by  inserting  the  reports  of  cases  of  suffering  from  the 
committees  of  the  several  Monthly  Meetings.  Those  reports, 
after  being  carefully  examined,  corrected,  and  approved  by  the 
Conference,  were  sent  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  thence, 
through  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  to  the  Yearly  Meeting. 

Before  giving  a  tabular  summary  of  said  reports,  I  will  copy 
a  minute  of  Conference,  and  the  Monthly  Meeting's  report 
upon  which  it  is  pi'edicated,  that  the  reader  may  understand 
the  kind  of  material  of  which  the  summary  is  composed. 

1782. — "  At  a  Meeting  for  Conference,  held  at  New  Garden, 
the  2d  of  ninth  month,  1782. 

"  Thomas  Millhouse,  on  behalf  of  the  committee  appointed 
at  last  meeting,  reports:  That  they  all  attended  to  the  service, 
and  revised  and  produced  (according  to  directions)  the  two  lists 
mentioned  at  last  meeting ;  also  one  brought  from  Kennet  and 
one  from  Sadsbury.  A  general  account  of  the  latter  is  as 
follows : 

"  From  Friends  of  Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting,  for  refusing 
to  pay  fines  and  taxes,  chiefly  for  war  purposes,  was  taken 
by  George  Mcllvane,  Thomas  Kenny,  Hugh  Cunningham, 


396 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


Alexander  White,  John  Ross,  William  Steele,  John  Crow, 
Thomas  Davis,  William  Boggs,  John  Powel,  James  Johnson, 
John  Brisbane,  Abraham  Kenny,  Martin  Hewey,  Benjamin 
Vernor,  and  others, — horses,  cattle,  sheep,  grain,  flour,  hay, 
farming  utensils,  household  furniture,  wearing  apparel,  provi- 
sions, &c.,  amounting  to  ,£1135  18s.  7c?." 

"  An  account  of  the  sufferings  of  Friends  belonging  to  Sads- 
bury  Monthly  Meeting,  occasioned  by  the  present  war : 

JonN  ferree's  account. 

1779,  1st  mo.  20. — Light-horsemen    took  20 

cwt.  good  hay,        .    .    £Z    0  0 
"  John  McCabe,  light-horse 

olRcer,  took  23  bushels 
of  oats,      .       .       .       2  17  6 
"      3d  mo.  25. — George  Mcllvane,  consta- 
ble, took  for   tax,  16 
bushels  corn,       .       .       3    4  0 

1780,  7th  mo.  15. — Thomas  Kenny,  constable, 

took  for  tax,  a  horse,      23    0  0 
Also  one  bull  and  one  cow,       8  10  0 
"      9th  mo.   9. — Alexander  White  took  for 
militia  service,  7J  bush- 
els wheat,   .       .       .       2    5  0 

1781,  5th  mo.   5. — Thomas  Kenny,  constable, 

took  for  tax  40  bushels 

corn,  .       .       .       .       8    0  0 

"      8th  month. — Said  Kenny  and  Jacob 

Fonts  took  a  man,       .      30    0  0 

"  9th  mo.  3. — Hugh  Cunningham,  sub- 
sheriff,  by  order  of  John 
Hopkins,  sub-lieutenant, 
for  a  demand  of  <£33 
hard,  and  <£3  State  mo- 
ney, for  militia  fines, 
took  2  horses,     .       .     42    0  0 


SUFFERINGS. 


397 


Five  milk  cows,  and  other 

cattle,        .       .       .  MO    0  0 

One  stack  of  rye,  com- 
puted 35  bushels,  and 
20  bushels  of  clean  rye,      11    0  0 

One  stack  of  oats,  com- 
puted 70  bushels,        .       7    0  0 

One  stack  of  good  hay, 
computed  3  tons,        .       7  10  0 
1782,   1st  mo.  19. — Jacob  Touts  sold  for  tax, 

19  cwt.  1  qr.  of  flour,  .      17    6  6 

And  27  bushels  of  wheat,       8    2  0 

^213  15  0 


JOHN   M'dONALD's  account. 

1780,  12th  mo.  15. — John    Ross   and  Joseph 

Walker  took  for  tax,  one 
cow,  .  .  .  .  5  0  0 
"  3d  mo.  15. — William  Steele,  sub-lieu- 
tenant, took  for  muster 
fines,  one  great-coat,  4 
yards  linen,  one  twilled 
sheet,  and  pair  of  pin- 
cers, .       .       .       .       2  17  6 

1781,  9th  mo.   7. — Said  Steele  took  for  mus- 

ter fines,  one  sow  and  4 
shoats,  7  delf-plates,  one 
pot,  one  pair  tongs  and 
a  cutting-box,     .       .       2  10  0 

£  10    1  Q 


JOHN  Truman's  account. 

1780,  11th  month. — Taken  by  one  Pinker- 
ton,  2|  bus.  wheat,  per 
tax,    .       .       .       .    <£0  16  6 


398 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


1781,  By  John  Crow  and  Thomas 

Davis,  3  cattle,  .  .  £11  10  0 
"      4th  mo.    9. — By  do.  21  bus.  wheat,  for 

fines  and  tax,  .  .  6  6  0 
"      8th  mo.  27. — By  William  Boggs  and  John 

Daniel,  for  tax,  2  cattle,  7  0  0 
"    10th  mo.  10. — By  John  Crow  and  Joseph 

Evans,  2  cattle,  per  tax 

and  fines,  .  .  .  7  0  0 
"    12th  mo.    3. — By  Davis  and  Boggs,  9 

cattle  and  11  sheep,  per 

tax  and  fines,      .       .      42    0  0 

1782,  1st   month. — By  do.  50  bus.  corn  and 

20  cwt.  good  hay,  per 

tax  and  fines,      .       .      12    0  0 

"  "  By  do.  20  cwt.  good  hay, 

and  32  bus.  wheat,  per 
tax  and  fines,      .       .      12  12  0 

"       2d  mo.  13.— By  John  Daniels,  8h  bus. 

corn,  per  tax  and  fines,        1  14  0 

«  "      22.— By  Davis  and  Boggs,  45 

bus.  wheat,  per  tax  and 
fines,  .       .       .       .    ■  13  10  0 

"  "      "     By  George  Boyd,  13  bus. 

wheat,  for  militia  fine,  .       3  18  0 


£117    6  6 


WILLIAM  TRUMAN  S  ACCOUNT. 


1781,    8th  mo. — Taken  by  John  Powell,  one 

cow,  £4    0  0 

"    11th  mo. — By  do.  1  colt,  4  head  of  cattle, 

and  16  cwt.  of  hay,  .       .      21    4  0 


£25    4  0 


SUFFERINGS. 


399 


ISAAC  Taylor's  account. 

1781,  8th  mo. — James  Johnson,  collector  of  tax, 
took  one  large  bull  and  steer, 
used  for  draught.  Said  cattle 
■were  bought  and  turned  home 
by  John  Hastings  ;  and 
about  the  13th  of  the  tenth 
month,  said  Hastings  took,  in 
place  thereof,  without  any 
direction  or  knowledge  of  the 
owner,  22  bus.  of  wheat,     .     ^£6  15  0 


JAMES  MOORE'S  account. 

1781,  3d  mo.  21.— John  Ross  took  for  tax,  26 

bus.  wheat,  .       .       .     ^G7  16  0 

"        "  One  cow  and  bell,  and  two 

blankets,      .       .       .       5    7  6 

"  9th  mo.  28.— Taken  by  Stephen  Heard, 
for  a  demand  of  tax,  40 
bus.  wheat  and  1  horse,       24    0  0 


£37    3  6 

JOHN  SMITH  (heirs  OF). 

1781,  1st  mo.  12. — Taken  by  Samuel  Henry, 
for  muster  fines,  1  heifer 
and  2  sheep,       .       .  £4    10  0 

"  6th  mo.  25. — By  do.  for  militia  and  mus- 
ter fines,  4  loads  of  good 
hay  and  a  steer,  .       .    17    0  0 

"  12th  mo.  7. — By  John  Brisbane,  collec- 
tor of  taxes,  12  bus. 
wheat,  threshed,  and 
supposed  110  bus.  in 
the  sheaf ;  also  6  bus.  of 
rye,  threshed,  and  100 
in  the  sheaf,       .       .    53  16  10 


400 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


One  cow  ■with  calf,  and  3 

steers,        .       .       .   £17    0  0 


£92    61  0 

ABRAHAM  gibbon's  ACCOUNT. 

1780,  12th  mo.  21.— By  Abraham  Henry,  for 

muster  fines,  7  bus.  corn 

in  the  ear,  .       .       ..£14  6 

1781,  11th  mo.  12.— Said     Henry    took,  for 

militia  fines,  2  heifers,  9  0  0 
"  "  Also  2  fat  hogs,  and  15 

bus.  corn,  .  .  .  6  12  6 
"  "  And  one  load  timothy  hay,       3    0  0 

1782,  11th  mo.  21. — By  Benjamin  Vernor,  col- 

lector for  taxes,  146  bus. 
wheat  and  4  of  rye,     .     44  12  0 
"      4th  mo.  23. — Said  Vernor,  for  taxes,  56 

bus.  wheat, .       .       .     16  16  0 


£81    5  0 

JOSEPH  DICKINSON'S  ACCOUNT. 

1781,  1st  mo.  8. — Taken  by  James  Johnson,  col- 
lector, for  a  demand  of  tax, 
£8,  4  cattle,    .       .       .  £14    0  0 


JOHN  MOORE  S  ACCOUNT. 


178],  1st  mo.  3. — John  Pennel  took,  for  fines, 

1  fat  bullock,  .       .  .£800 
"         "  And  1  cow,  and  ox-chain,  .       5    4  0 


£13    4  0 

JAMES  SMITH,  SEN.'S  ACCOUNT. 

1781,  8th  mo.  28. — John  Slater  took,  for  tax, 

2  steers  and  5  sheep,     .  £12    0  0 


SUFFERINGS. 


1781,  12tli  mo.  24. — Samuel  Henry,  for  muster 
fines,  hay  computed  at 
50  cwt., 


MOSES  BRINTON's  ACCOUNT. 

1780,  12tli  mo.    8.— Martin   Henry,  sold  for 

muster  fines,  supposed 
to  be  30  cwt.  of  hay,  . 

1781,  4th   month. — By  Benjamin  Vernor,  for 

taxes,  24  bus.  of  wheat 
and  10  of  rye,  4  cattle, 
and  about  6  tons  of  hay, 
"  8th  mo.  24. — Martin  Huey,  for  fines,  9 
tons  of  hay,  2  steers  and 
2  sheep, 

"  11th  mo.  21.— Said  Huey,  for  fines,  80 
bus.  of  rye,  unthreshed. 
And  20  bus.  of  threshed 
rye,  .  .  .  . 
Also,  3  loads  of  hay,  12 
bus.  corn,  and  one 
large  fat  hog 

1782,  1st  mo.  21. — Benjamin  Vernor,  collec- 

tor, 221-J  bus.  wheat,  . 


ROBERT  MOORE's  ACCOUNT. 

1781,  3d.  mo.  15. — William  Steele,  sub-lieu- 
tenant and  Hugh  Cun- 
ningham, took  for  muster 
fines,  one  silver  dollar,  . 
"  "  21. — John  Boss,  collector,  took 
one  young  horse  and  a 
bridle, 
26 


401 

£1  10  00 
£19  10  00 

4  10  00 

43    7  00 

31  00  00 

14  13  4 
4  00  00 

15  9  t; 

66  9  00 
£179    8  10 

00  7  G 
30    3  00 


402 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


1781,  Otli  month. — Said  Steele  and  Cunning- 
ham, sub-sheriff,  for  mi- 
litia fines,  4  milk  cows, 
2  young  cattle,  and  a 
Dutch  fan,  .  ,  .  £23  15  00 
Also,  07  dozens  of  wheat 
in  the  sheaf,  supposed 
,  54  bush.,  and  54  dozens 

rye  in  the  sheaf,  sup- 
posed 45  bush.,    .       .       25    4  00 


£79    9  6 


ANDREW  (son  OF  LYDIa)  MOORE'S  ACCOUNT. 

1780,  11th  mo.  17. — John  Crow  and  Thomas 

Davis  took  a  colt,        .       10  00  00 

1781,  6th  mo.  25. — Said  Crow  and  William 

Irwin  took  5J  yds.  of 
cloth,  and  3  ewes  with 
their  lambs,  for  tax  and 
muster  fines,        .       .         4  16 

1782,  1st  mo.  14. — Thomas  Davis,  9  cattle  and 

Icow,         .       .       .       23  00  00 
And  10  flour  casks,   .       .         1  00  00 


£38    1  6 


JOSEPH  GEST  S  ACCOUNT. 

1781,  od  mo.  16. — William  Steele  and  Hugh 
Cunningham  took  in 
money,  for  muster  fine,  1  10  00 

Said   money  was  got  by 
picking  a  lock. 
"  "       21. — John  Ross,  a  quantity  of 

bees-wax,  a  flitch  of 
bacon,  6  lbs.  of  hackled 
flax,  near  6  yds.  of  linen, 
a  smoothing  iron,  a  pair 


SUFFERIN'GS. 


408 


of  saddle-bags,  pair  of 
steelyards,  a  calfskin, 
and  one  bag,        .        .       <£G  IT  ') 

1781,  9tli  rao.  28. — Stephen  Heard,  collector, 

for  tax,  a  wagon,         .        10  00  00 

1782,  1st  rao.  31. — Stephen  Heard,  6  head  of 

cattle  and  2  sheep,      .       25  00  00 

M'S    7  5 


liEN.JAMIN  HOAR  S  ACCOUNT. 

1781,    8th  mo.  31. — .James  Johnson,  collector, 

took  for  tax,  4  cattle,  £9  00  00 

ANDREW  MOORE,  SEN.'s  ACCOUNT. 

1781,  3d  mo.  15. — William  Steele  and  Hugh 
Cunnino-hara  took,  for 
muster  fines,  7  yds.  of 
linen,  .        .       .        .         1    1  00 

"  4th  mo.  2. — John  Ross,  collector,  took 
for  tax,  a  wagon,  a  pew- 
ter dish,  and  6  plates,  .  11  00  00 
Also,  chains  and  back- 
band,  one  table  and  one 
kettle,        ...  320 

"  0th  mo.  6. — Said  Steele  and  Cunning- 
ham, for  fines,  a  Dutch 
fan,  milk  cow,  5  young 
cattle,  2  loads  of  hay,  11 
sheep,  a  horse  and  bridle,       44    1  G 


£59    4  G 


For  a  demand  of  <£22  4s. 


/ 


404 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


JOHN  MOORE  MILLER  S  ACCOUNT. 

1780,  lllh  mo.  14.— John  CroAv  and  Thomas 

Davis,     collectors  of 

taxes,  3  cattle,    .       .     .£9    0  0 

1781,  3d  mo.,   4. — Said  Crow  took  one  mare,      27    0  0 

£36    0  0 

GEORGE  cooper's  ACCOUNT. 

1781,    1st  mo.     3. — "William  Steel  and  John 
Fennel  took,  for  fines,  a 
horse,        .       .       .      10    0  0 
Horse     gears,  swingle- 
trees,  and  a  bag,         .        19  0 

1781,  1st  mo.    5.— A  watch,       .       .       .       7  10  0 
10th  mo.  12. — John  Ross,  collector,  took, 

for  tax,  one  saddle,  a 
pair  of  spatter-dashes, 
1  chair,  1  candlestick,         3    0  G 
Stephen  Heard  took,  for 

tax,  2  saddles,     .       .       -i  15  0 

1782,  2d  mo.    8. — He  also  took  one  heifer, 

Dutch  fan,  .  .  .  G  10  0 
1  sleigh,  3  hogs,  2  good  ' 

collars,  .  .  .  4  15  0 
4    sheep,    one  cart-bed 

and  shafts,  well  ironed,       4    0  0 

£41  19  G 

JOHN  COOPE's  ACCOUNT. 

1781,  10th  mo.  30. — William  Cowen,  collector 
of  militia  fines,  forced 
open  several  locks  near 
the  middle  of  the  night, 
and  took,  in  gold  and 
silver,        .       .       .  £18    0  0 


Amount,  £1135    8  7 


SUFFERINGS. 


405 


"  Read  in  Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting,  held  the  17th  of  the 
seventh  month,  1782,  and  signed  on  behalf  of  the  same,  by 

"  Isaac  Taylor." 

The  above  is  a  fair  specimen  of  the  materials  from  which  the 
following  summary  is  constructed,  and  shows  the  practical 
working  of  cruel  and  unjust  laws,  when  administered  by  more 
cruel  and  unjust  men. 

A  Summary  of  Sufferings,  as  reported  to  the  Conference  by 
the  Committees  of  the  several  Monthly  Meetings,  during  a 
period  of  eight  years. 

N.  B. — Some  committees  Avere  not  prompt  in  reporting  ; 
hence  the  dates  prefixed  can  only  indicate  the  time  when  the 
reports  were  received.  The  sums  have  been  reduced  from 
pounds  to  dollars,  as  nearly  as  could  be  done  in  round  num- 
bers. 


Year. 

Kennet 
M.  M. 

New 
Garden 
M.  M. 

Notting- 
ham 
M.  M. 

Brad- 
ford 
M.  M. 

Sads- 
bury 
M  M. 

Deer 
Creek 
M.  M. 

Duck 
Creek 
M.  M. 

Total. 

1779 

1552 

1394 

509 

1984 

139 

314 

5892 

1780 

770 

2301 

563 

1704 

213 

229 

5780 

1781 

3768 

*9130 

1291 

2560 

2419 

681 

19,849 

1782 

3471 

6472 

1085 

3685 

3029 

514 

18,256 

1783 

1157 

2944 

1373 

5474 

1784 

1936 

1201 

3197 

1785 

690 

944 

379 

853 

4242 

7018 

1786 

594 

837 

1772 

3203 

s 

11,912 

25,958 

3827 

13,931 

6709 

866 

54G6 

68,669 

Through  all  this  fiery  dispensation,  Friends  continued  to 
place  their  dependence  upon  the  Divine  Arm,  believing  that 
if  they  abode  patiently  under  their  sufferings,  it  would  be 
overruled  for  good  in  the  councils  of  Eternal  Wisdom.  In 


*  "  Friends  from  the  Monthly  Meetings  which  produced  the  above  ac- 
counts, gave  some  account  of  the  situation  of  their  members,  respecting 
their  testimony  against  military  requisitions  ;  from  which  it  appears  that  a 
good  degree  of  faithfulness  is  maintained  by  much  the  greater  number, 
though  some  weakness  and  some  failures  were  found." — (Minute  of  Con- 
ference.) 


406 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


laboring  with  the  legislative  and  executive  authorities,  in  order 
to  influence  them  to  juster  and  more  lenient  measures,  they 
believed,  with  Solomon,  that  though  they  should  cast  their  bread 
upon  the  waters,  it  would  be  found  after  many  days : — so  it 
appears  to  have  been  found  in  the  measure  alluded  to  in  the 
following  extract : — 

1789. — "  This  meeting  being  informed  that  the  Commis- 
sioners within  the  Province  have  the  power  invested  in  them, 
by  the  late  Assembly,  to  inspect,  consider,  and  determine  all 
cases  respecting  military  fines  imposed  before  the  year  1788, 
and  have  advertised  in  order  to  meet  and  hold  an  appeal  for 
all  that  might  think  themselves  aggrieved  thereby ;  and  this 
meeting — taking  the  subject-matter  into  consideration,  believ- 
ing that  Truth's  testimony  may  be  affected  thereby — appoints 
James  Bennet,  James  Jackson,  Samuel  Nicholls,  Christopher 
Hollingsworth,  Samuel  Harlan,  Jonathan  Graves,  Thomas 
Chandler,  William  Harvey,  Enoch  Wickersham,  and  Robert 
Lamborn,  to  attend  thereto,  as  they  may  be  enabled." — (Ken- 
net  Monthly  Meeting.) 

The  following  act  of  Assembly,  which  is  referred  to  in  the 
above  minute,  was  unmistakably  passed  in  consequence  of  the 
cogent  appeals  which  were  made  by  Friends  for  the  meliora- 
tion of  their  condition. 

"An  Act  to  establish  a  Board  of  Appeal  within  the  several 
Counties  of  this  State,  and  to  grant  Exonerations  in  cases 
of  Militia  Fines.    Passed  March  27th,  1780. 

"  Whereas,  it  hath  been  represented  that  gross  abuses  have 
been  committed  in  the  levying  and  collecting  of  militia  fines, 
whereby  many  individuals,  as  Avell  as  families,  have  been 
greatly  aggrieved  and  oppressed ;  and  as  such  abuses  may 
still  be  continued,  unless  better  provision  than  now  subsists  be 
made  for  the  hearing  of  appeals  and  granting  exonerations, — 

"  Sect.  2.  Be  it  therefore  enacted,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted 
by  the  Representatives  of  the  freemen  of  Pennsylvania  in 


SUFFKRIXGS. 


407 


General  Assembly  met,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same, 
that  Avitliin  each  of  the  counties  of  tliis  State,  there  shall  be 
constituted  and  established,  and  there  is  hereby  constituted 
and  established,  a  Board,  consisting  of  the  Commissioners  of 
the  several  counties  in  this  State,  who,  or  any  two  of  them, 
shall  have  power  to  receive  all  appeals  from  persons  charged 
in  the  several  counties  with  militia  fines,  who-  may  consider 
themselves  aggrieved  thereby  ;  and  also  to  receive  the  applica- 
tions of  such  persons  so  charged,  who  may  pray  relief  on  account 
of  peculiar  hardships  or  inability;  and  the  said  Board  shall 
have  full  power  and  authority  to  determine  on  such  appeals 
and  applications,  and  to  give  relief  and  grant  exonerations,  ac- 
cording to  their  judgment  and  discretion,  and  as  justice  and 
humanity  may  require  ;  and  shall  also  give  certificates  of  such 
relief  or  exonerations,  which  shall  be  available  to  the  appel- 
lants against  the  payment  of  the  amounts  to  the  collecting 
officers." 

Sorrowful  must  be  the  condition  of  any  people  where  the 
laws  afford  neither  personal  protection  nor  security  for  the 
possession  of  property,  but  where  the  mansion  of  the  opulent, 
the  domicil  of  the  artizan,  and  the  cottage  of  the  laborei-,  may 
be  entered  at  any  hour  and  rifled  of  its  choicest  contents ; 
where  even  the  bed  beneath  him,  the  coat  he  wears,  the  pro- 
visions in  store  for  his  subsistence,  the  tools  of  his  trade,  and 
the  means  of  tilling  his  land,  may  be  rudely  torn  from  him. 
Such  was  the  situation  of  Friends  at  this  period.  Their 
peaceable,  non-resisting  principles,  no  doubt,  gave  greater 
license  to  unprincipled  plunderers  ;  but  by  yielding  obedience 
to  the  manifested  will  of  the  Divine  Master,  they  were  won- 
derfully sustained ;  and  though  often  despoiled  of  much  of  this 
world's  goods,  they  were  marvellously  blessed  in  basket  and 
in  store,  affording  a  singular  contrast  Avith  the  condition  of 
those  who  had  been  their  persecutors.  They  could  indeed  say 
with  the  Psalmist,  "  I  have  been  young,  and  now  am  old  ;  yet 
have  I  not  seen  the  righteous  forsaken,  nor  his  seed  begging 
bread." 


408 


KETKOSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


Placing  their  dependence  foi-  protection  on  the  arm  of 
Omnipotent  Power,  they  believed  it  their  duty  patiently  to 
suffer  ■whatever  afflictions  might  be  permitted  to  come  upon 
them,  until  that  arm  should  bo  extended  for  their  deliverance ; 
which  they  have  often  signally  experienced,  and  have  great 
cause  to  be  thankful  for. 

The  sufferings  which  Friends  have  endured  for  the  main-  ' 
tenance  of  religious  liberty  and  the  rights  of  conscience,  have 
long  been  matter  of  history ; — a  history  little  read,  and  still 
less  understood. 

People  do  not  sufficiently  estimate  the  price  which  has  been 
paid  for  the  civil  and  religious  liberty  which  they  enjoy.  It 
must  be  conceded  that  Friends  have  contributed  very  largely 
of  their  substance,  by  their  personal  sufferings,  and  even  with 
their  lives,  to  the  attainment  of  this  important  end.  If  George 
Fox  had  not  asserted  religious  liberty  and  the  rights  of  con- 
science to  be  paramount  to  all  human  laws ;  if  innocent 
Avomen  had  not  been  scourged  at  the  cart-tail  through  the 
streets  of  Boston  ;  if  Laurence  Southwick  and  his  sons  had 
not  suffered  their  ears  to  be  cut  off ;  if  William  Robinson, 
Marmaduke  Stephenson,  William  Ledra,  and  Mary  Dyer,  had 
not  sealed  their  testimony  for  the  Truth  with  their  blood  on 
Boston  Common ;  and  if  AVilliam  Penn  had  not  published  his 
frame  of  government  of  Pennsylvania,  we  have  little  reason 
to  suppose  that  Thomas  Jefferson  would  ever  have  written  the 
celebrated  Declaration  of  Independence. 

It  may  even  be  worthy  of  serious  consideration,  how  far  the 
result  of  the  struggle  for  American  Independence  was  achieved 
by  the  arms  of  the  warrior,  and  how  far  by  the  humble  de- 
pendence and  hopeful  looking  unto  God  for  preservation,  by 
those  who  could  in  nowise  seek  to  obtain  it  by  force,  but  whose 
constant  prayer  was,  "  Spare  thy  people,  0  Lord,  and  give  not 
thine  heritage  to  reproach." 

It  is  impossible  for  us  at  this  distance  of  time  to  appreciate 
the  degree  of  intolerance  and  sectarian  bigotry  which  prevailed 
among  the  Puritan  fathers  of  the  Massachusetts  Colony. 
"  Not  only  the  Episcopalians  (says  Bowden),  but  Roger  Wil- 


CONCLUSION. 


409 


liams  and  his  party,  as  well  as  the  Antinomians  and  the  Bap- 
tists, had  severally  suffered  themselves  to  be  driven  as  exiles 
from  the  country.  The  antichristian  legislation  of  the  ruling 
sect  had  triumphed  over  all  opposition,  and  it  was  not  until  it 
joined  issue  with  Quakerism,  that  it  had  to  contend  with  prin- 
ciples more  potent  than  its  own.  On  the  Society  of  Friends 
devolved  the  noble  work  of  contending  successfully  against  the 
exclusive  principles  of  sectarian  legislation  in  New  England, 
and  of  ecclesiastical  tyranny  in  North  America." 

But  it  should  be  remembered,  that  it  was  not  the  people  of 
New  England  who  so  cruelly  imprisoned,  and  whipped  and 
hanged  the  holy  messengers  of  God's  love,  whom  he  was 
pleased  to  send  among  them.  The  civil  authorities,  urged  on 
by  their  ecclesiastical  leaders,  did  this.  The  popular  feeling 
was  outraged  by  their  inhumanity,  and  in  many  instances 
restrained  their  murderous  intentions. 


CHAPTEE  XXXIII. 

CONCLUSION. 

In  bringing  this  retrospective  view  of  a  large  and  interesting 
portion  of  the  religious  Society  of  Friends  to  a  conclusion,  it 
would  be  instructive  to  compare  the  present  with  the  past,  and 
from  thence  to  deduce  the  prospective  future.  Many  circum- 
stances, however,  render  such  a  comparison  difficult  and 
uncertain. 

1.  The  constitution  of  the  Society  has  greatly  changed. 
Then,  it  was  largely  composed  of  new  converts,  who  had  been 
brought  under  deep  conviction,  and  who  were  urged  by  the 
strong  impulse  of  religious  duty  to  maintain  and  promulgate 
the  Christian  principles  which  they  had  espoused.  Now,  it  is 
mainly  composed  of  birthright  members,  a  considerable  portion 


410 


RETROSPECT  OF  KARLY  QUAKERISM. 


of  whom,  wliilc  they  belong  to  the  household  of  faith,  have 
never  embraced,  from  conviction,  its  principles  and  testimonies. 
They  are  Friends  by  education  and  habit,  rather  than  from 
any  strong  pervading  sense  of  religious  duty. 

2.  The  internal  regulations  of  the  Society  have  changed. 
Then,  none  but  the  elder,  the  religiously  concerned,  the  sober- 
minded,  those  whose  life  and  conversation  were  conformable  to 
the  principles  which  they  professed,  were  permitted  to  attend 
Meetings  for  Discipline.  JSfotv,  all  the  members  are  admitted 
to  equal  privileges  in  such  meetings. 

3.  The  external  relations  of  the  Society  have  changed. 
Then,  Friends  were  a  despised  and  rejected  people,  cruelly 
persecuted,  and  in  a  measure  cut  olF  from  social  communion 
with  the  surrounding  world.  Noiu,  they  daily  mingle  with,  and 
are  courted  by  those  who  once  despised  and  persecuted  them. 
Then,  the  Christian  advices  which  were  issued,  and  the  dis- 
ciplinary rules  which  were  enacted,  were  indicative  of  the  state 
of  that  privileged  class  only  who  then  attended  the  meetings 
of  business.  Notv,  the  young  and  inexperienced,  and  those 
who  have  never  submitted  to  the  regulating  influence  of  the 
cross  of  Christ,  attend  our  Meetings  of  Discipline,  and  partake 
in  their  deliberations. 

There  is  hardly  another  equally  large  body  of  people  in  ex- 
istence, who  could  thus  assemble  day  after  day,  to  deliberate 
upon  its  own  concerns,  without  any  acknowledged  visible  head 
or  moderator,  and  preserve  so  much  order  and  decorum  as  a 
Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends.  How  is  this  accomplished? 
Simply  by  obedience  to  the  command  of  Jesus  Christ  to  his 
disciples,  and  through  them  to  all  succeeding  generations: 
"  Tarry  ye  in  the  city  of  Jerusalem,  until  ye  be  e-ndued  with 
power  from  on  high."  This  is  the  only  power  which  can  sub- 
due the  boisterous  passions  and  control  the  selfish  feelings  of 
man's  nature.  It  is  the  ark  of  our  testimony,  the  anchor  of 
our  hopes,  the  foundation  of  our  faith,  the  rock  of  our  salva- 
tion, and  will  lead  all  those  Avho  rely  upon  it  for  direction  and 
safety,  in  the  way  of  holiness,  of  which  it  is  declared,  that 
"Wayfaring  men,  though  fools,  shall  not  err  therein." 


CONCLUSION. 


411 


It  has  been  shown  that  the  past  and  present  states  of  our 
religious  Society  exhibit  different  views,  and  therefore  lead  to 
uncertain  conclusions.  "We  compare  the  lives  and  sentiments 
of  a  select  few  of  the  former  with  the  masses  of  the  latter. 
To  avoid  the  error  which  this  would  lead  to,  we  must  turn  to 
the  criminal  records  of  Society,  to  the  proceedings  of  Monthly 
Meetings  in  the  treatment  of  offenders,  and  by  their  reflected 
light  inquire  what  disorders  then  prevailed,  before  we  can  judge 
of  the  moral  and  religious  condition  of  the  members,  in  a  col- 
lective capacity.  This  is  the  most  reliable  means  we  possess, 
and,  if  I  am  not  greatly  mistaken,  will  lead  to  the  conclusion 
that  the  existing  condition  of  the  Society  is  far  in  advance  of 
what  it  was  three  half  centuries  ago.  This  is  especially  true, 
as  regards  the  observance  of  the  moral  obligations  and 
restraints. 

The  practice  of  holding  slaves,  and  the  habitual  use  of  intoxi- 
cating drinks,  were  then  prevalent.  The  possession  of  arbitrary 
power  in  the  one  case,  and  the  intemperance  inseparable  from 
the  other,  in  connection  with  the  low  standard  of  moral  and 
social  order  then  generally  prevalent,  must  have  introduced 
many  disorders  into  the  Society.  Hence  we  find  drunkenness, 
quarrelling,  and  fighting,  and  even  the  grosser  immoralities,  to 
have  been  of  frequent  occurrence,  and  which  compare  unfavor- 
ably even  with  the  more  refined  sensualities  of  modern  times. 

The  constitution  of  the  religious  Society  of  Friends,  like 
that  of  the  civil  Government  under  which  we  live,  is  republi- 
can, and  we  must  ever  remember  that  virtue  and  intelligence 
can  alone  preserve  either,  upon  this  basis.  If  our  Society  ad- 
heres to  that  vital  and  fundamental  principle  which  first  gath- 
ered it,  it  will  go  on  to  extend  the  sphere  of  its  usefulness  and 
to  enlarge  its  borders;  if  not,  it  will  sooner  or  later  sink  into 
merited  oblivion,  to  be  succeeded  by  such  other  organizations, 
which  God  in  his  infinite  wisdom  may  see  meet  to  raise  up  as  a 
means  of  carrying  on  his  work  in  the  earth. 

I  will  close  with  the  admonitory  and  encouraging  language  of 
the  Evangelist : 

"  To  the  angel  of  the  church  that  is  in  Philadelphia,  write : 


412 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


These  things  saith  lie  that  is  holy,  He  that  is  true,  He  that 
hath  the  key  of  David,  He  that  openeth  and  no  man  can  shut, 
and  shutteth  and  no  man  can  open.  I  know  thy  works.  Behold 
I  have  set  before  thee  an  open  door,  and  no  man  can  shut  it ; 
for  thou  hast  a  little  strength,  and  hast  kept  my  word,  and  hast 
not  denied  my  name.  Behold  I  will  make  them  of  the  syna- 
gogue of  Satan,  which  say  they  are  Jews  and  are  not,  but  do 
lie.  Behold  I  will  make  them  come  and  worship  before  thy 
feet,  and  to  know  that  I  have  loved  thee.  Because  thou  hast 
kept  the  word  of  my  patience,  I  also  will  keep  thee  from  the 
hour  of  temptation,  which  shall  come  upon  all  the  world,  to  try 
them  that  dwell  upon  the  earth.  Behold  I  come  quickly.  Hold 
fast  that  which  thou  hast,  that  no  man  take  thy  crown.  Him 
that  overcometh  will  I  make  a  pillar  in  the  temple  of  my  God, 
and  he  shall  go  no  more  out;  and  I  will  write  upon  him  the 
name  of  my  God,  and  the  name  of  the  city  of  my  God,  which 
is  New  Jerusalem,  which  cometh  down  out  of  heaven  from  my 
God;  and  I  will  write  upon  him  my  new  name." 


APPENDIX. 


TPIE  NICHOLITES. 

The  similarity  in  sentiment  and  practice,  between  this  inte- 
resting people  and  Friends,  their  close  proximity  and  social 
intercourse,  and  especially  their  ultimate  assimilation  and 
union,  renders  an  extended  notice  of  the  rise  and  progress  of 
the  Nicholites,  proper  in  this  connection ;  but,  after  much 
inquiry,  I  have  been  able  to  obtain  only  a  very  few  authentic 
records  to  aid  in  the  construction  of  their  history.  Most  of  the 
information  within  my  reach  is  of  a  traditionary  character.  In 
only  a  very  few  instances  have  I  been  able  to  determine  dates. 

A  hundred  years  ago  there  lived  in  Kent  County,  Delaware, 
a  young  man  named  Joseph  Nichols.  Though  uneducated,  he 
very  early  evinced  a  mind  of  considerable  activity  and  strength, 
alike  potent  for  good  or  for  evil.  The  natural  vivacity  of  his 
disposition,  a  peculiar  talent  for  affording  amusement,  in 
common  parlance,  for  making  fun,  was  well-nigh  proving  the 
ruin  of  himself  and  many  of  his  jovial  companions.  On  first- 
days,  and  other  times  of  leisure,  his  company  was  much  sought 
after  by  many  of  his  cotemporaries,  and  their  time  wasted  Avith 
trifling  and  frivolous  amusements.  This  continued  for  a  season, 
until  God,  in  his  mercy,  saw  fit  to  overrule  it  for  good. 

Joseph  Nichols  was  sometimes  met  in  a  narrow  way,  and 
made  to  feel  that  he  was  born  for  a  higher  and  nobler  purpose 
than  he  had  yet  fulfilled,  and  that  he  ought,  with  all  sobriety, 
to  seek  more  rational  and  enduring  pleasures  than  those  which 
he  had  been  pursuing.  The  exercise  of  his  genius  had  given 
him  an  almost  unlimited  control  over  his  companions,  and 
qualified  him  to  become  their  leader.  Hence,  when  they 
assembled,  he  now  began  to  turn  their  thoughts  to  subjects 


414 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


more  in  unison  with  his  own  changed  feelings.  Sometimes  he 
wouhl  propose  the  reading  of  a  passage  from  the  Scriptures,  at 
others  lie  would  lead  them  into  serious  and  rational  discourse. 

Having  yet  more  experienced  the  operation  of  the  spirit  of 
truth  to  open  his  understanding,  and  to  lead  him  in  the  path 
wherein  he  should  walk,  he  was  gradually  brought  to  see  with 
clearness  the  line  of  duty  which  Avas  marked  out  for  him  to 
pursue,  and  that  his  own  peace  of  mind  required  that  he  should 
yield  an  unreserved  obedience  thereto,  regardless  of  the  opin- 
ions and  the  customs  of  others. 

Joseph  Nichols's  juvenile  companions  appear  not  to  have 
forsaken  him  in  his  more  serious  moments;  but  as  he  became 
more  circumspect  in  life  and  conversation,  tliey  became  so  too. 
In  conduct  and  appearance,  he  must  now  have  contrasted 
strangely  with  his  earlier  years.  He  felt  himself  called  upon 
to  appear  among  them  as  a  minister.  His  early  reputation, 
but  more  the  fervency  of  his  zeal  and  his  heart-searching 
appeals,  soon  occasioned  his  meetings  to  be  largely  attended ; 
many  became  convinced,  and  very  early  embraced  his  views, 
and  conformed  their  lives  to  the  principles  which  he  inculcated. 

He  taught  his  followers  that  all  the  passions  and  propensi- 
ties of  man's  nature  which,  by  indulgence,  would  lead  to  any- 
thing but  good-will  to  ooir  fellow-men,  and  which  would  prompt 
to  a  manner  of  living  which  would  not  come  up  to  the  golden 
rule  of  doing  to  others  as  we  would  have  them  do  unto  us, 
should  be  subdued ;  that  everything  which  had  a  tendency  to 
exalt  the  creature,  or  was  at  variance  with  the  principle  which 
he  had  laid  down,  must  be  regulated  thereby,  and  be  brought 
into  subjection  thereto.  A  strict  adherence  to  these  views,  led 
him  and  his  followers  into  great  singularities,  Avhich  less  scru- 
pulous and  conscientious  persons  miglit  think  bordered  on 
extravagancies. 

As  a  sect,  they  soon  acquired  the  name  of  Nicholites,  from 
their  leader ;  but  in  the  records  which  we  have  seen,  they 
style  themselves  "Friends,  or  New  Quakers."  As  they  were 
brought  more  and  more  into  obedience  to  their  acknowledged 
leader  and  director,  Christ,  they  were  successively  led  to 


THE  NICIIOLITES. 


415 


bear  a  firm  and  unwavering  testimony  against  war  and  all 
warlike  measures,  profane  and  even  judicial  swearing,  the 
holding  of  their  fellow-men  in  bondage,  and  against  all  super- 
fluity and  extravagance  in  dress,  furniture,  and  address,  and 
against  a  man-made  and  hireling  ministry.  In  maintaining 
these  testimonies,  they  sometimes  suffered  persecution,  dis- 
traints of  property,  and  imprisonment. 

Among  the  sufferers  was  William  Dawson,  who  endured  a 
long  imprisonment  for  his  testimony  against  a  hireling  minis- 
try ;  which,  as  is  usual  in  such  cases,  tended  to  promote  inquiry 
and  to  advance  the  cause  of  Truth. 

William  Dawson  and  James  Harris  were  also  among  the 
foremost  to  set  an  example  of  justice  to  those  of  the  African 
race  whom  they  held  in  bondage,  by  setting  them  free, — alike 
regardless  of  the  discouragements  thrown  in  their  way  by  the 
laws  and  by  those  who  administered  them  : — being  an  act  of 
conscientious  duty,  they  did  not  hesitate  to  perform  it.  This 
humane  testimony  soon  spread,  and  became  incorporated  in 
their  discipline,  so  that  even  to  hire  a  slave  was  made  a  disown- 
able  offence.  James  Horney  even  refused  to  partake  of  the 
hospitality  of  slaveholders,  being  unwilling  to  participate  in 
using  the  produce  obtained  by  their  unrequited  labor. 

Forbidden  by  their  principles  to  acknowledge  a  man-made 
ministry  under  any  circumstances,  they  could  not  consistently 
consummate  their  marriages  before  a  priest,  although  required 
so  to  do  by  the  laws.  They,  therefore,  applied  for  and  ob- 
tained an  act  of  toleration  from  the  State  of  Maryland, 
allowing  the  "  Nicholites  or  New  Quakers"  to  marry  among 
themselves,  and  also  allowing  them  to  take  an  affirmation 
instead  of  an  oath. 

The  mind  is  often  led  by  unseen  influences,  and  in  a  Avay 
contrary  to  its  inclinations.  Tradition  tells  of  some  of  their 
females  who,  on  becoming  convinced  of  the  Truth,  felt  that  it 
would  be  right  for  them  to  dispense  with  their  personal  orna- 
ments, but  whose  husbands  were  unwilling  to  allow  them  to  do 
so.  Unable  to  prevail  upon  them  to  wear  what  they  felt  to  be 
forbidden  to  them,  their  husbands  at  length  accompanied  them 
to  their  meeting,  hoping  there  to  turn  their  plainness  into 


410 


llETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


ridicule ;  but,  so  far  from  eifecting  their  purpose,  these  men 
themselves  became  convinced  of  the  same  Truth  as  their  wives 
had  been,  and  united  with  them  in  the  support  of  it. 

Joseph  Nichols,  the  founder  of  this  little  band  of  "  Friends," 
— for  such  was  the  appellation  they  familiarly  gave  themselves, — 
did  not  live  to  complete  the  organization  of  his  Church.  He 
was  a  man  who  adorned  his  profession  by  a  consistent  life,  in 
all  sincerity  practising  the  Christian  virtues  which  he  taught, 
and  thereby  rendering  his  whole  conduct  a  becoming  example 
to  his  flock.  To  the  poor,  he  was  kind  and  generous  almost 
to  a  fault.  It  is  reported  of  him,  that  he  once  took  off  his  coat 
and  gave  it  to  a  poor  slave  who  came  to  meeting  without  one; 
thus  literally  and  practically  fulfilling  the  injunction,  "  He 
that  hath  two  coats,  let  him  impart  to  him  that  hath  none." 
It  is  further  stated,  that  he  divided  the  last  toll-dish  of  grain 
Avith  a  poor  man  who  came  to  his  mill  for  bread.  Though  re- 
moved from  his  labors  at  an  early  period,  yet  he  had  sown  the 
seed  of  life  in  ground  prepared  by  the  great  Husbandman  of 
Souls,  and  it  grew  and  flourished. 

As  the  Society  of  Nicholites  became  organized,  and  their 
numbers  increased,  grounds  Avcre  purchased  and  meeting- 
houses erected  at  Northwest  Fork,  Centre,  and  Tuckahoe 
Neck,  all  in  Caroline  County,  Maryland,  where  they  princi- 
pally resided.  Meetings  were  regularly  held  in  these  houses 
on  first-days  and  in  the  middle  of  the  week ;  where  it  was 
their  practice  to  sit  down  and  wait  in  silence  for  the  Divine 
principle  to  strengthen  and  direct  their  spirits, — without  which 
they  did  not  believe  that  any  religious  service  could  be  per- 
formed, which  would  be  acceptable  to  Him  whom  they  pro- 
fessed to  worship. 

They  also  held  Meetings  for  Discipline  once  a  month  (much 
after  the  manner  of  Friends) ;  but,  as  they  had  no  higher 
organization  than  those  meetings,  they  do  not  appear  to  have 
established  a  detailed  system  of  Discipline ;  leaving  each 
meeting  to  determine  its  own  proceedings.  We  however  find 
among  the  scanty  records  before  us,  the  subjoined  interesting 
paper,  which  may  contain  all  the  written  Discipline  which  they 
possessed: — 


THE  NICnOLITES. 


417 


"  On  the  first  day  of  the  first  month,  1798,  the  following  was 
considered  and  adopted  for  Rules  of  Meeting  among  us  of  the 
Society  of  People  called  Nicholites,  or  New  Quakers,  viz. : — 

"  1.  That  all  marriage  certificates  be  recorded  ;  births  and 
deaths  also. 

2.  Any  member  joining  in  marriage  with  one  that  is  not  a 
member  of  our  Society,  do  thereby  forfeit  their  right  among 
Friends ;  or  allowing  such  marriage  in  their  house,  do  also 
forfeit  their  right  among  Friends. 

"  3.  Any  member  attending  such  marriages,  shall  be  called 
to  give  a  reason  for  their  conduct  in  that  respect. 

"  4.  Any  member  intending  to  marry,  shall  first  inform  the 
Elders  of  the  meeting  to  which  they  belong,  and  if  no  objection, 
then  the  same  to  be  minuted,  that  a  necessary  inquiry  may  be 
made  of  the  clearness  of  the  parties  from  others,  and  consent 
of  parents,  or  any  other  necessary  inquiry  may  be  made;  and  if 
nothing  to  the  contrary  appears  by  the  next  Monthly  Meeting, 
the  parties  to  be  left  to  their  liberty,  to  twice  publish  their  inten- 
tions,and  if  no  objection  comes  forward  they  mayconsummate  their 
marriage,  according  to  the  good  order  practised  among  Friends. 

"  5.  Two  or  three  Friends  of  good  repute,  to  be  chosen  as 
Overseers  of  each  Monthly  Meeting,  and  to  render  an  account 
of  their  service  and  duties  to  the  said  meeting  whensoever  called 
thereto. 

"  6.  Those  that  neglect  to  attend  meetings  for  worship  and 
discipline  at  the  hour  appointed,  or  fall  asleep,  or  frequently 
go  in  and  out,  or  otherwise  disturb  the  meeting,  let  thera  be 
cautioned  privately,  and  then,  if  need  be,  reprove  them  publicly, 
and  if  they  cannot  be  reclaimed  by  Christian  endeavors  of  their 
friends,  to  be  disowned. 

"7.  Any  Friend  moving  from  the  limits  of  one  meeting 
to  another,  they  shall  procure  a  certificate  from  the  meeting  to 
which  they  belonged,  that  they  may  be  received  as  they  are. 

"  8.  When  any  Friend  of  the  ministry  proposes  to  travel  in 
that  service,  they  should  first  acquaint  the  Monthly  Meeting 
where  they  belong,  in  order  for  their  brotherly  advice  from  the 
meeting. 

"  9.  The  members  of  the  meeting  only,  have  a  right  to  sit  in 

27 


418 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


meetings  for  business,  except  on  application  and  an  admittance 
by  the  said  meeting. 

•'  10.  Any  Friend  having  anything  to  offer  in  meetings  of 
business,  should  stand  up,  the  better  to  preserve  the  good  order 
of  one  speaking  at  a  time. 

"  11.  Any  person  holding  a  slave,  is  not  to  be  admitted  to 
be  a  member. 

"  12.  No  member  shall  go  to  law  with  a  member,  except  some 
urgent  necessity ;  nor  with  others  until  first  endeavoring,  by 
easy  terms,  offering  to  have  the  same  settled  by  others." 

These  rules  are  recorded  in  a  book  containing  a  record  of 
about  sixty  marriage  certificates,  occurring  from  1766  to  1800, 
which  opens  with  the  following  minute  : — 

Agreed  by  a  meeting  of  Friends,  assembled  together  on 
the  fifth  day  of  the  twelfth  month,  Anno  Domini,  1774,  'to 
consider  of  some  things  relating  to  the  general  benefit  of  the 
Church  of  Christ.' 

"  The  aforesaid  assembly  did  then  agree  to  hold  their  Monthly 
Meeting  at  the  house  of  James  Harris,  the  first  and  second  day 
of  the  first  week  in  every  month,  viz. : — 

"  The  first  day  for  the  worship  of  God ;  the  second  day  to 
consider  of  such  business  as  may  concern  us,  as  touching  our 
religious  Society.  The  aforesaid  assembly  did  then  conclude, 
by  the  consent  and  approbation  of  many  more  brethren,  that 
Friends  should  carefully  collect  their  marriage  certificates,  and 
bring  them  to  the  said  meeting,  in  order  to  have  them  entered 
upon  record. 

"  Signed  in  behalf  of  the  Society  by  us, 

"  William  Dawson.  "  William  Warren, 

"William  Batchlor,  "James  Anderson, 
"  William  Harris,  "  Richard  Accles, 

"Thomas  Stanton,  "John  Richardson, 

"  Noble  Covey,  "  James  Horney, 

"Robert  Bishop,  "Joshua  Chilcutt, 

"James  Harris,  "William  Berry, 

"  Ann  Anderson,  "  Mary  Harris, 

"Ann  Accles." 


THE  NICHOLITES. 


419 


In  a  second  book,  containing  a  record  of  near  four  hun- 
dred births,  is  a  minute  precisely  similar  to  the  foregoing, 
except  that  the  words  "  children's  ages"  are  substituted  for 
"marriage  certificates." 

Up  to  the  year  1778,  marriages  appear  to  have  been  con- 
summated "in  a  public  congregation  of  people,"  at  a  Friend's 
house ;  whether  at  the  time  and  place  of  holding  their  monthly 
or  other  regular  meetings  does  not  appear.  From  the  period 
last  named,  they  were  mostly  accomplished  at  Friends'  meet- 
ing-house in  Caroline  County;"  and  not  till  1785  do  we  find, 
"at  Friends'  meeting-house  in  Northwest  Fork."  In  1784, 
mention  is  made  the  same  way,  of  the  meeting-houses  at 
Centre,  and  at  Tuckahoe  Neck. 

From  all  which,  I  conclude  that  they  held  one  Monthly 
Meeting  (and  that  at  Northwest  Fork,  after  1778),  until,  by 
the  increase  and  spread  of  their  members,  two  other  meeting- 
houses were  built,  and  Monthly  Meetings  established  therein, 
about  1784. 

At  this  period  their  Monthly  Meetings  usually  held  three 
days.  First,  on  seventh-day  was  held  a  meeting  of  the  ministers 
and  elders  in  the  morning,  then  a  public  meeting,  and  after 
that  their  Society  concerns  were  transacted,  select,  the  men 
and  women  sitting  together.  On  first-day,  and  also  on  second- 
day  following,  public  meetings  were  held,  at  which  there  were 
often  supposed  to  be  near  one  thousand  people."  Their  man- 
ner of  conducting  business  in  their  Monthly  Meetings  was 
much  the  same  as  that  of  Friends : — such  as  readino-  and 
answering  queries,  receiving  members,  ordering  marriages,  and 
treating  with  offenders. 

Certificate  of  marriage : 

"  These  may  certify  all  whom  it  may  concern,  that  Jacob 
Wright  and  Rhoda  Harris,  both  single  persons,  of  Caroline 
County,  and  State  of  Maryland,  having  first  publicly  made 
known  their  intentions  of  marriage,  and  no  lawful  objection 
being  made,  they,  the  said  Jacob  Wright  and  Rhoda  Harris, 


420 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


(lid,  on  the  fifth  day  of  the  twelfth  month,  seventeen  hundred 
and  eighty-nine,  in  a  public  congregation  at  Friends'  meeting- 
house in  the  county  aforesaid,  acknowledge  their  marriage  en- 
gagements, one  to  the  other, — the  man  taking  the  woman  to  be 
his  lawful  wedded  Avife,  the  woman  taking  the  man  to  be  her 
lawful  wedded  husband  ;  in  consequence  of  which,  the  woman 
hereafter  assumes  the  sirname  of  the  man.  In  testimony  of 
which  we,  the  subscribers,  being  present,  have  hereunto  sub- 
scribed our  names,  the  day  and  year  aforesaid. 

"  Jacob  Wright, 
"  Khoda  Wright." 

(And  fourteen  witnesses.) 

The  above  is  the  common  form.  I  will  insert  another,  not 
so  much,  however,  for  its  novelty,  as  because  it  is  character- 
istic of  the  simplicity,  integrity,  and  impartiality  of  this 
people  : — 

"Beit  remembered,  and  hereby  certified,  that  Isaac  Linager 
did,  on  the  16th  day  of  the  fourth  month,  Anno  Domini  1769, 
in  the  presence  of  a  public  congregation  of  people  at  the 
house  of  Mary  Caldwell,  after  our  manner,  take  a  certain 
woman  to  wife,  named  Rosanna  (who  was  formerly  held  as  a 
slave  by  Daniel  Adams,  of  Dorchester  County,  in  Maryland, 
deceased,  which  said  Adams  did,  in  his  lifetime,  discharge  the 
said  Rosanna  from  her  slavery  and  bondage).  In  consequence 
of  which,  the  said  woman  hereafter  assumes  the  name  of  the 
man.  In  testimony  whereof,  we,  the  subscribers,  being  present, 
have  hereunto  subscribed  our  names. 

" Isaac  Linager, 

her 

"  Rosanna  X  Linager." 

mark 

(And  thirteen  witnesses.) 

It  may  not  be  improper  to  add  in  this  place  the  signatures 


THE  NICIIOLITES. 


421 


to  another  certificate,  in  1775,  tending  to  exhibit  the  low  state 
of  school  instruction  among  them  : — 

Noble  Covey, 

her 

Mary  X  Covey,  , 

his  mark 

Daniel  Sullivan, 


Joshua  X  Cramer, 

mark 

his 

Joseph  X  Osten, 

mark 
his 

Thomas  X  Willis, 

mark 
his 

William  X  Berry, 

mark 

James  Harris, 
James  Horney, 


Isaac  Charles, 

his 

William  ><1  Batchelder, 

mark 
his 

Elijah  >i  Russell, 

mark 

William  Harris, 

her 

Rhoda  ><!  Covey. 

mark 


It  may  be  that  an  all-wise  Providence  sometimes  sees  proper 
to  lead  those  who  are  called  to  be  reformers,  into  extremes,  in 
order  that  the  folly  of  their  opposites  may  be  made  more  manifest 
thereby.  Be  this  as  it  may,  the  strong  contrast  is  often  ex- 
hibited in  that  manner.  So  with  the  Nicholites.  Their  zeal 
for  plainness  was  so  great  as  not  to  allow  them  the  pleasure 
of  cultivating  flowers,  merely  for  ornament ;  nor  to  wear  striped, 
nor  flowered,  nor  colored  stuffs  in  their  garments,  not  even  the 
wool  from  black  sheep.  They  seem  to  have  imbibed  a  horror 
for  color.  Hence  their  clothing  was  generally  of  the  natural 
white  of  wool,  flax,  and  cotton,  even  to  the  exclusion  of  black 
shoes.  This  cherished  aversion  to  color  was  doubtless  believed 
by  them  to  be  a  testimony  for  Truth,  and  they  will  receive 
the  reward  due  to  their  faithfulness  ;  yet  it  is  dangerous  to 
depend  too  much  upon  the  outside  observance  of  forms  and 
ceremonies,  and  thereby  fail  to  realize  the  substance  of  true 
religion  in  the  soul. 


422 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


I  will  close  this  narrative  with  a  brief  history  of  the  conclu- 
sion of  this  interesting,  but  ephemeral  sect,  and  its  amalgama- 
tion with  Friends. 

The  great  similarity  which  existed  between  Friends  and  the 
Nicholites,  in  regard  to  religious  doctrines,  disciplinary  regu- 
lations, and  social  customs,  was  obvious  to  all,  and  to  none  more 
than  themselves.  They  were,  indeed,  a  unit  in  the  great  and 
fundamental  principle  of  their  faith, — the  manifestation  of  the 
spirit  which  is  given  to  every  man, — hence  it  is  not  strange 
that  they  should  instinctively  incline  to  each  other  ;  and  such 
was  the  fact. 

James  Harris,  a  worthy  and  influential  minister  among  them, 
was  deeply  interested  and  labored  for  years  to  effect  a  union 
with  Friends.  The  proposition  was  repeatedly  considered  in 
their  meetings,  but  still  there  were  some  who  could  not  unite. 
The  number  of  the  latter  having  become  small,  they  proposed 
that  such  as  were  prepared  to  join  with  Friends  had  better  do 
so,  which  might  prove  a  benefit  to  those  who  remained,  by  lead- 
ing them  into  a  closer  examination  of  their  own  situation.  A 
minute  was  accordingly  made,  and  a  committee  appointed  to 
lay  their  application  for  admission  before  Friends,  as  follows: — 

To  the  Members  of  Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting,  to  be  held 
the  12th  of  the  tenth  month,  1797  : 

"We,  the  people  called  Nicholites,  herein  present  to  your 
view  and  serious  consideration  the  names  of  those  that  incline 
to  unite  with  you  in  membership  [here  follow  one  hundred  and 
six  names]. 

"Given  forth  from  Centre  Monthly  Meeting  of  the  people 
called  Nicholites,  held  the  30th  day  of  the  ninth  month,  1797. 

"  Setii  Hill  Evitts, 

''Clerk:' 

The  foregoing  minute  has  been  published  as  official,  but  it 
does  not  seem  to  convey  the  wishes  of  the  applicants  very 
clearly,  and  may  not  be  a  correct  copy,  especially  as  I  find  a 
different  one  on  a  loose  sheet  in  one  of  the  record  books,  which 

/ 


THE  NICHOLTTBS. 


423 


seems  to  be  official ;  I  give  it  also,  and  regret  not  having  full 
copies  from  the  records  of  Thirdhaven  Monthly  Meeting : — 

"  To  the  Friends  and  Members  of  Thirdhaven  Meeting : 

"Whereas,  a  part,  and  perhaps  the  greater  part,  of  the 
people  in  session,  called  Nicholites,  have  had  a  concern,  at 
sundry  times,  to  be  united  with  the  people  called  Quakers, 
believing  it  might  be  a  benefit  to  us,  and,  we  trust,  no  hurt  to 
them,  and  perhaps  more  generally  useful  to  others ;  and  under 
this  apprehension  and  prospect  of  good  being  done,  we  have 
believed  it  to  be  our  duty  to  inform  you  of  the  desire  we  have 
to  be  one  with  you,  truly  united  to  the  Head  of  [the]  True 
Church,  and  one  to  another ;  so  have  proceeded  to  enrol  the 
names  of  those  who  desire  the  unity  proposed  should  be  brought 
about.  The  next  larger  number  is  those  that  see  not  their  way 
into  the  matter,  but  are  not  inclined  to  oppose  it.  We  have 
also  sent  forward  the  names  of  those  that  have  a  birthrighfc 
only  who  unite  with  the  matter. 

"  Given  forth  from  Centre  Monthly  Meeting,  held  the  5th 
of  the  eighth  month,  1797,  and  signed  on  behalf  of  the  same,  by 

"  Seth  Hill  Evitts, 

Then  follow  the  three  lists  mentioned  above- 
First,  one  of  eighty  names,  "  all  of  which  is  agreed  to  the 
aforesaid  proposal."     Next,  one  of  twenty  names,  marked 
"neuter;"  and  one  of  twelve  names,  marked  "nominal." 
The  first  list  is  headed  by  James  Harris. 
The  foregoing  paper  was  laid  before  Marshy  Creek  Prepa- 
rative Meeting  by  two  of  their  number,  and  forwarded  thence 
to  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Thirdhaven,  as  directed. 

"Which  paper  and  names  being  read  in  the  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, and  som-e  time  spent  in  the  consideration  thereof,  the 
meeting  agreed  on  appointing  a  committee  to  take  an  opportu- 
nity with  them  in  a  collective  capacity,  and  treat  the  matter 
with  them  as  way  may  open,  as  to  the  grounds  of  their  re- 


424 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


quest,  and  report  of  their  situation  and  state  of  unity  in  regard 
thereof  to  our  next  meeting,  viz. :  James  Fairbanks,  William 
Atkinson,  Tristram  Needles,  Levin  Wright,  John  Bowers, 
James  Edmundson,  John  Register,  Solomon  Neal,  Joseph  Neal, 
Samuel  Troth,  William  Needles,  Robert  Moore,  and  Batchelor 
Cheever." 

The  committee  visited  them  in  their  meetings,  and  reported 
to  the  next  Monthly  Meeting,  when  the  case  was  referred  to 
the  Quarterly  Meeting  for  its  advice.  That  meeting  recom- 
mended that  they  should  be  visited  individually  or  by  families, 
•which  appears  to  have  been  done.  The  committee  reported  in 
favor  of  receiving  the  larger  number  of  the  applicants,  Avho, 
with  their  children,  amounted  to  about  four  hundred.  Many 
of  those  who  were  not  accepted  expressed  their  willingness  to 
be  left  for  the  present. 

Here  was  a  voluntary  and  harmonious  division  of  a  religious 
society,  as  rare  as  it  is  instructive.  The  sequel  will  show  that 
there  was  no  feeling  of  animosity,  no  criminations  and  recrimi- 
nations, no  contest  about  property,  which  so  often  occur  to  the 
great  disgrace  of  religious  society. 

A  separation  was  arranged,  but  they  were  not  yet  ready  to 
carry  it  into  effect.  There  appears  to  have  been  some  trouble- 
some and  unruly  spirits  among  them,  who  were  under  dealing 
at  the  time,  and  those  who  were  to  remain,  began  to  apprehend 
that  their  greatly  reduced  numbers  might  not  have  sufficient 
religious  weight  to  finish  that  service  properly,  and  requested 
their  seceding  brethren  to  stay  with  them  and  lend  them  the 
aid  of  their  spirits  till  this  work  was  accomplished,  which  was 
cheerfully  granted. 

Those  who  had  thus  voluntarily  relinquished  their  right  of 
membership  with  their  former  brethren,  in  order  to  join  Friends, 
supposed  that  they  had  forfeited  all  claim  to  a  further  use  and 
occupancy  of  their  meeting-houses  ;  but  their  brethren  thought 
otherwise,  and  desired  that  they  would  continue  to  meet  together 
as  heretofore,  in  their  meetings  for  worship,  only  that  Friends 
should  change  the  times  of  holding  their  Meetings  for  Discipline, 


THE  NICnOLITES. 


425 


so  as  to  avoid  interference.  This  was  cheerfully  complied  with. 
Oh !  the  happy  feeling,  "  Let  there  be  no  strife,  I  pray  thee, 
between  me  and  thee,  and  between  my  herdmen  and  thy  herd- 
men,  for  we  be  brethren." 

In  1800,  Friends  established  a  Monthly  Meeting  at  North- 
west Fork ;  and  as  the  fear  of  the  remaining  Nicholites, 
respecting  the  deterioration  of  their  brethren  who  joined  with 
Friends,  had  not  been  realized,  the  most  of  them  soon  after 
followed  their  example,  and  were  received  into  Northwest 
Fork  Monthly  Meeting.  It  appears,  however,  that  those  living 
at  Northwest  Fork  Meeting  made  earlier  application  than 
those  living  at  the  Centre  Meeting,  as  the  following  minutes 
show.    Of  the  transfer  of  Tuckahoe  Neck  we  have  no  account. 

"  We,  the  people  called  Nicholites  or  New  Quakers,  do  hereby 
constitute  and  appoint  James  Wright  and  William  Williams, 
to  sell  and  make  over  all  our  right  and  title  of,  in,  and 
unto,  our  meeting-house  at  Northwest  Fork,  called  Northwest 
Fork  Meeting-house,  to  any  of  the  people  called  Quakers,  on 
such  conditions  that  they  will  repay  them  their  money  they 
raised  toward  building  the  said  meeting-house,  if  required,  and 
on  such  terms  as  our  Friends  aforesaid  and  they  may  agree. 

"  Given  forth  from  our  Northwest  Fork  Monthly  Meeting, 
held  the  seventeenth  day  of  the  eighth  month,  1799.  And 
signed  in  and  on  behalf  of  the  same,  by 

"Elijah  Cremeen, 

"  Clerk. 

"And  make  a  return  to  the  next  Monthly  Meeting  at  Centre 
Meeting-house,  of  their  care  and  conduct  in  this  matter.  And 
the  return  is,  they  have  sold  it  and  made  over  all  our  right  and 
title  thereof." 

A  similar  minute  is  recorded,  appointing  Azal  Stevens  and 
Beauchamp  Starron,  for  the  like  purpose  (except  that  there  is 
no  provision  for  the  payment  of  any  money),  for  Centre 
Monthly  Meeting,  dated  the  31st  of  the  twelfth  month,  1803, 
and  signed  by  the  same  Friend  as  clerk. 


426 


RETROSPECT  OF  EARLY  QUAKERISM. 


By  this  transfer  of  property  the  title  only  was  changed,  the 
use  thereof  remained  the  same,  and  so  continues  to  the  present 
time. 

Happy  would  it  be  if  other  kindred  sects  would  profit  by  this 
example, — cease  from  their  bickerings  and  animosities,  and 
unite  in  promoting  the  spread  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  in 
the  earth. 


I  N  D  E  X. 


PAGE 

XXUlli^HJH^       •            •             •  ■ 

•         >     v^iidner ly  iticciiUq]  • 

S4 

uo.          .         .         •  • 

Monthly  Meeting,  .  . 

85 

1^0*  .... 

•    IVXeeting)        •       .  ■ 

85 

Abjuration,  .... 



287 

Affirmations, 

281 

Allegiance  and  Abjuration,  . 

287 

AJlCll  lU  W  II)    •              ■              .  . 

39 

AUoway's  Creek,  . 

•          .           UO,      .          •          •  . 

45 

Do.      Town,  .  . 

.          .          XJO,      .          >          ■  • 

45 

Amwell,  .... 

UO.      •          .          .  . 

39 

Appeals,  .... 

276 

Appofjuini  iTi  nik.  ... 

•     i>icciin^,          .         .  • 

1 12 

ijaniv,  ..... 

52 

Bart 

Do. 

134 

X>ayblUCj          •           •           •  ■ 

Do. 

109 

Sctwick,     •       .       •  • 

Tin 

139 

1^6tlileli6ni,  .       •       .  » 

•     iHoniiiiy  iiieeiiug,    •  . 

SO 

Do. 

81 

Betty's  Cove, 

Do  

.  109 

Birmingham, 

.    Monthly  Meeting,  . 

70 

Do  

.  Meeting, 

71 

Bordentown, 

Do  

.  40 

Bradford,  .... 

.    Monthly  Meeting,  . 

.  124 

Do  

.  Meeting, 

.  125 

Bristol,  .... 

Do  

78 

Buckingham, 

.    Monthly  Meeting,  . 

78 

Do  

.  Meeting, 

.  79 

Bucks,  .... 

Quarterly  Aleeting, 

.  74 

Burials,  .... 

.  233 

Burlington,  .... 

Quarterly  Meeting, 

.  35 

Do  

.    Monthly  Meeting,  . 

.  35 

Do  

Meeting, 

.  30 

Byberry,  .... 

.    Monthly  Meeting,  . 

91 

Do  

.  Meeting, 

91 

428 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

Cain,  

Oiinrlprlv  iNTpptinrT 
•            •       v^uciiidiy   J.' J.CC Li  1 JU,  • 

124 

Cain,  East, 

iVTpptinfr 

124 

Do.  West, 

Do.  . 

126 

Cambridge,  .       .  « 

Do. 

1  OA 

Camden,  .... 

Monthly  Meeting, 

111 

Do.  .... 

.       .    IVIeeting,  Delaware, 

113 

Do.  .... 

.       .        Do.     New  Jersey, 

lis 

Cape  May,  .... 

Do. 

49 

Case.  ..... 

324 

Catawissa,  .... 

.    Monthly  Meeting, 

137 

Do  

.    Meeting,  . 

138 

Cecil,  .... 

.    Monthly  Meeting, 

110 

Do  

.    Meeting,  . 

11 1 

Centre,  .... 

.    Monthly  Meeting, 

101 

Do  

Meeting  (Western  Quarter), 

102 

Do  

Do.     (Southern  Quarter), 

117 

Certificates,  .... 

202 

Charity,  Love,  and  Unity, 

152 

Charleston,  .... 

.    Meeting, . 

62 

Chester,      .       .       .       .  . 

.    Quarterly  Meeting, 

05 

Do. 

.    Monthly  Meeting,  Pennsylvania, 

65 

Do.  .... 

Do.  New 

Jersey, 

122 

Do.  

.    Meeting,  Pennsylvania, 

60 

Do  

Do.      Maryland,  . 

111 

Chesterfield 

.    Monthly  Meeting, 

37 

Do  

.    Meeting,  . 

30 

ChicliGsteTj  .       .       •       .  • 

Do.       .       .  . 

68 

Cliildrcri  fliid  Youtli. 

143 

Choptank,  .... 

.    Quarterly  IMeeting, 

107 

Do  

.    Meeting,  . 

110 

Cold  Spring,       .       .       ,  . 

Do.  ... 

115 

Columbiaj  .       .       .       .  . 

Do.       .       .  . 

128 

Conclusion,         .       .       .  . 

409 

Concord,     .       ,       .       .  . 

.    Quarterly  Meeting, 

05 

Do  

.    Monthly  Meeting, 

67 

Do  

.    Meeting,  . 

68 

Conduct  and  Conversation. 

147 

Conversation,     .       .       .  . 

147 

Cove,        .       .       .       .  • 

Meeting, 

109 

Cropwell,  ..... 

Do.  ... 

122 

Darby,  ..... 

.    Monthly  Meeting, 

66 

Do  

Meeting, 

67 

Discipline,  .... 

174 

Diversions,  .... 

361 

Doe  Run,  ..... 

.  Meeting. 

105 

INDEX.  429 

PAGE 

Downingtown,  Meeting,  V>6 

Doylestown,        .....  Do.      .....  79 

Dublin,  Upper,   Meeting,        ....  90 

Duck  Creek,   Monthly  Meeting,   .       .  .111 

Do   Meeting,         .       .       .  .112 

East  Cain,  Do  124 

Do.  Sadsbury,  Do  133 

Easton,   Meeting,  New  Jersey,     .        .  120 

Elders,  169 

Evesham   Monthly  Meeting,    .       .       .  119 

Do  ^Meeting,  120 

Do.       Upi^er,        ....  Monthly  Meeting,    .       .  .121 

Exeter,   Do.              ...  63 

Do.   Meeting,         .       .       .       .  63 

Fair  Hill,  Do  58 

Fallowfield,   Monthly  Meeting,    .        .  .103 

Do   Meeting,        .       .       .  .104 

Falls,         ......  Monthly  Meeting,    ...  75 

Do.   Meeting,  76 

Family  Visits,     ......  .        ....  205 

Fishing  Creek,   Half-Year  Meeting,         .       .  137 

Do.    Monthly  Meeting,   .       .        .  139 

Do.    Meeting,         ....  140 

Frankford,  ......  Meeting,         .       .        .  .58 

Freehold,  Upper,        ....  Do.             .        .        .  .43 

Games,  Lotteries,  and  Diversions,        ...  ....  361 

General,      ......  Meetings,       ....  29 

George's  Creek,    .....  Meeting,        .       .       .  .112 

Germantown,      .....  Do.            ....  58 

Gloucester,   Monthly  Meeting,  .       .  .117 

Goshen,   Do.             ...  68 

Do.   Meeting,        ....  69 

Government,       .......  ....  272 

Great  Egg  Harbor,       ....  Monthly  Meeting,    ...  49 

Do.                  ....  Meeting,        .        .       .  .49 

Greensborongh,    .....  Do.            .        .       .  .110 

Green  Street   Monthly  Meeting,   ...  56 

Do.    Meeting,        .        .        .  .57 

Greenwich,         .....  Monthly  Meeting,    .       .  .45 

Do.    Meeting,        .       .       .  .46 

Do.       Upper,       ......  ....  47 

Gwynnedd,         .....  Monthly  Meeting,    ...  86 

Do.    Meeting,        ....  87 

Haddonfield,   Quarterly  Meeting,  .        .  .117 

Do.    Monthly  Meeting,   .        .  .117 


430 


INDEX. 


Hadtlonfield, 
Hat-Honor,  . 
Haverfoid,  . 

Do. 
Hempfield,  . 
History  of  Meetings, 
Hockesson,  . 
Horsliam, 

Do. 
Indians, 
Kennet, 
Do. 

Do.  Square, 
Key's  Alley, 
King  wood, 

Do. 
Kimberton,  . 
Lampetre,  . 
Lancaster,  . 
Law,  . 
Leacock, 
Lippincott,  . 
Little  Creek, 
Little  Egg  Harbor. 
Do. 

London  Grove, 

Do. 
Lotteries, 
Love,  . 

Lower  Mansfield, 

Loyal  Sock, 

Maiden  Creek, 

Makefield, 
Do. 

Mansfield, 

Do.  Lower, 
Do.  Neck, 

Marlborough, 

Marriages,  . 

Marshy  Creek, 

Maurice  River,  . 
Do. 

Medford,  . 
Do. 


PAGE 


Meeting,        .       .       .  .119 

 308 

Monthly  Meeting,  ...  59 
Meeting,  .  .  .  .61 
Meeting,        .        .       .  ,128 

 17 

Meeting  ]03 

Monthly  Meeting,  .  .  .  SS 
Meeting,        ....  89 

 260 

Monthly  Meeting,  ...  93 

Meeting  90 

Do.  ....  90 

Do.  ....  54 

Monthly  Meeting,  see  Quaker- 
town,         ....  80 
Meeting,  see  Quakertown,       .  81 
Do.  ....  130 

Do.  ....  13U 

Do.  ....  131 

 •  260 

Meeting,  .  .  .  .130 
Do.  see  Upper  Greenwich,  -17 
Do.  ....  113 

Monthly  Meeting.  ...  40 
Meeting,  .  .  .  .40 
Monthly  Meeting,  .  .  .  100 
Meeting,        .       .       .  .101 

 361 

 152 

Meeting,  ....  37 
Do.  ....  139 

Do.  ....  63 

Monthly  Meeting,   ...  83 
Meeting,        .       .       .  .83 
Do.  ....  42 

Do.  ....  37 

Do.  ....  37 

Do.  ....  96 

 218 

Meeting,  .  .  .  .110 
Monthly  Meeting,  .  .  .49 
Meeting,  .  .  .  .49 
Monthly  Meeting,  .  .  .  121 
Meeting,         .       .       .  .121 


INDEX. 

431 

PAGE 

JMeeting  for  bufferings, 

Merion,       .       .       .  . 

■       •    itieeiing,        •       •  . 

•  Dl 

Mitltlietown,  • 

>       •    ivionuiiy  ivieeiing,   ■  . 

*        /  i 

Do. 

Meeting  (Bucks  County), 

77 

JJo. 

Meeting  (Delaware  County), 

CG 

IMUiora,       •        •        •  • 

.          .         JJO.                .          •  • 

115 

Mill  Creek,  .        .       .  . 

T^^ 

Uo. 

99 

Ministry,     .        •       .  . 

155 

Mispillion.  .        •       •  . 

see  Milford, 

115 

Moorestown, 

Meeting, 

123 

Motherhill, 

TIT—    t.\  \       7\T  »* 

Monthly  Meeting,  . 

.  113 

JJo, 

iVIeeting, 

•    11  'J 

Mount,        ,        .        ,  . 

JJo. 

-12 

Mount  Holly, 

Monthly  Meeting,  . 

40 

JJo. 

Meeting, 

.      4 1 

MuUica  Hill. 

46 

Muncy,  .... 

iuontnly  Meeting,  . 

139 

JJO.                    .                .                .  . 

.       .    JMeeting,        .       .  • 

1  1  (\ 

I4U 

iviusu  ivxiiion,       •        >  • 

Mutual  Help^ 

Oil 

Nantmeal,     .        .       .  . 

JVleeting, 

i  JO 

Negroes  and  Slavery, 

•Jio 

Neshamony, 

Ivlontlily  JMeeting. 

"77 

JJo. 

Meeting, 

77 

!^ewark,       .       .       .  . 

Monthly  fleeting, 

y-j 

JJo. 

Meeting, 

95 

Newcastle,  , 

xHoniniy  ivieeiing, 

JJo.          .         .  . 

Meeting, 

72,  95 

New  Garden,        .       .  . 

iviontniy  ivieeting, 

y  / 

JJO. 

Meeting, 

OQ 
Vo 

Newtown, 

ivieeiing  ^ijucks  i^ountyj, 

o  J 

JJo, 

Meeting  (Delaware  County), 

69 

JJo. 

Meeting  (New  Jersey).  . 

.  lis 

Nicholites. 

.  413 

Norristown.    ,       .  . 

.       ,  Meeting, 

o  / 

North, 

uo. 

51 

Northern  District,  . 

Monthly  Meeting, 

54 

North  Wales. 

Meeting, 

87 

Northwest  Fork, 

.-  Monthly  Meeting,  . 

110 

JJo. 

Meeting, 

1 1() 

Oaths  and  Affirmations, 

O  CI 

WKi  opringneiu, 

ivieeung, 

^'ley,  

•       •    Monthly  Meeting,  .  • 

AT 

Do  

.  Meeting, 

6:i 

Orphans,  .... 

.  240 

432 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

Overseers  and  Preparative  Meetings,    ...  ....  104 

Oxford,       .      '.       .       .       ,       .  Meeting  (Philadelphia  County),  SO 

Do.   Do.     (Chester  County),      .  106 

Pennsbury,  ......  Do.    .        ....  76 

Pennsgrove,        .....  jMonthly  Meeting,   .       .       .  105 

Do.    Meeting,        ....  106 

Penn's  Neck,       .....  Upper  Meeting       ...  48 

Pliiladelpliia,       .....  Yearly  Meeting,      .        .  .21 

Do.    Quarterly  JMeeting,         .        .  5U 

Do.    Monthly  Meeting,  Green  Street,  56 

Do.    Do.          Northern  Dist.  54 

Do.    Do.          Race  Street,  51 

Do.             .       •       .       .       .  Do.          Southern  Dist.  55 

Do.             .....  Do.          Spruce  Street,  54 

Do.             .....  Do.          Western  Dist.  55 

Do.    West  Meeting,        .       .  .53 

Pikeland,   Meeting,        ....  106 

Piles  Grove,   Monthly  Meeting,   .       .       .  -17 

Do.    Meeting,        .       .       .       .  4S 

Pine  Grove,        .....  Do.            .       .       .  .116 

Pine  Street,   Do.            ....  55 

Plainness,           ......  .....  149 

Plumstead,          .....  Meeting,        .       .        .  .79 

Plymouth,  Do.            ....  Si) 

Pottsville,   Do.            ....  04 

Preface,      ........  ....  5 

Preparative  Meetings,  .       .       .       .  .        .         .       .       .  .194 

Priest  Rates,  359 

Providence,         .....  ^Nleeting  (Delaware  County),  .  66 

Do.               .....  Do.     (Montgomery  County),  87 

Quakertown,       .....  Monthly  Meeting,   .        .  .80 

Do.    Meeting,        .       .       .  .SI 

Queen  Anne's,   Do.             .        .       .       .    J  lu 

Queries,   250 

Race  Street,        .....  Monthly  Meeting,  .       .  .51 

Do.               .....  Meeting,        .        .       •        .  53 

Radnor,   Monthly  Meeting,  .        .        .  59 

Do.         ......  Meeting,        .       .       .  .51 

Rancocas,    .......  Do.             ....  36 

Reading,   Do.             .        .       .       •  03 

Removals,   .   '23S 

Richland,    ......  Monthly  Meeting,    .        .       .  S7 

Do   Meeting,        ....  88 

Roaring  Creek,   Monthly  Meeting,   .       .       .  140 

Do.    Meeting,        .       .       .  .139 


INDEX. 


433 


I'AQE 

Robeson,  Montlily  Meeting,    .       .        .  l.'iC) 

Do  Meeting,        .        .       .  .130 

Romansville,  Do.  ....  120 

Sad!.bury,  Monthly  Meetin;;,    .        .       .  V21 

Do  Meeting,        .       .  .128 

Do.       East,  Do.  ....  133 

Salem,        ......    Quarterly  Meeting,         .        .  43 

Do.  Monthly  Meeting,    ...  44 

Do.   Meeting,        .       .        .  .44 

Sassafras,    ......        Do.  .        .       .  .111 

Schools,  242 

Schuylkill,  .        .        .        .        .       .    Meeting  62 

Settlement  of  Slecliiigs,   17 

Shamokin,  ......    Meeting,        ....  140 

Slavery,  328 

Snowhill,  Meeting,        .        .        .  .110 

Solebury,  Monthly  Meeting,   ...  81 

Do  Meeting,        ....  82 

Sorcery,      ........         ....  364 

Southern,    ......    Quarterly  Meeting,         .        .  107 

Southern  District,        ....    Monthly  Meeting,   .        .        .  55 

Spencer's  Meeting,        ....  99 

Spirituous  Liquor?,       ......         ....  307 

Spring,        ...        ...     Meeting,         ....  29 

Springfield,         .....        Do.      (Pa-)i       ...  66 

Do  Old  Meeting,  ....  36 

Do.  Upper  Monthly  Meeting,         .  42 

Do.  Do.    Meeting,      .        .  .42 

Spruce  Street,      .....    Monthly  Meeting,    ...  54 

Do.   Meeting,        ....  55 

Stanton,  Do.  ....  74 

Stony  Brook,  Do.  ....  39 

Strouilsburg,       .....        Do.  ....  88 

Sufferings,  372 

Thirdhaven,  Monthly  Meeting,    •       .        .  109 

Do.   Meeting,        ....  109 

Thompson's  Bridge,     ....       Do.  ....  45 

Trading,     ........         ....  263 

TransquaUing,  Meeting.        ,       .        .  .110 

Trenton,  Do.  .       .  .40 

Tuckahoe  Do.  .       .       .  .109 

Do.      Neck,  Do.  ...  110-117 

Twelfth  Street,  Monthly  Meeting,    ...  55 

Do.   Meeting,  .       .  .55 

Unionville,  Do,  ....  97 

28 


434 


INDEX, 


Unity,  . 
Upper  Dublin, 
Upper  Evesham,  . 
Do. 

Upper  Freeliokl,  . 
Upper  Greenwioli, 
Upper  Perm's  Neck, 
Upper  Springfield, 
Do. 

UwcliUui,  .* 

Do. 
Valley, 

Vincent  Town, 
War,  . 
Warminster, 
West  Cain, 
West  Chester, 
WestfieUl,  . 
West  Grove, 
West  Philadelphia, 
Western,  •  . 
Western  District,  . 
White  Clay  Creek, 
Whiteland,  . 
White  Mar.-li, 
Widows  and  ()r|)liaiis, 
Wilmington,  . 
Do. 

VVillistown,  . 
Woodbury,  . 

Do.         .  . 

Woodward's, 
Woodstown,  . 
Woolwich, 
Wrightstown, 

Do. 
Yardley  vllle. 
Yearly  Meeting;, 
Youths'  fleeting?,  . 


PAGE 
152 


Meeting,  ....  90 
Monthly  Meeting,  .  .  .  124 
Meeting,  .        .        .  .121 

Do.  ....  43 

Do.  ....  47 

Do.  ....  48 

Monthly  Meeting,  .  .  .42 
IMeeting,  .        .       .  .42 

Monthly  Meeting,  .  .  .135 
Meeting,  ....  130 

Do.  ....  62 

Do.  ....  42 

 292 

Meeting,         ....  90 
Do.  ....  126 

Do.  ....  71 

Do.  ....  123 

"Do.  ....  98 

Do.  ....  53 

Quarterly  Meeting,  .  .  .92 
Monthly  Meeting,  .  .  .  53 
Meeting,  ....  74 

Do.  .       .       .      -.  70 

Do.  ....  91 

 240 

Monthly  Meeting,    ...  72 
Meeting,         .       .       .  .73 
Do.  ....  69 

Monthly  Meeting,  ...  40 
Meeting,         ....  46 
Do.  ....  48 

Do.  ....  48 

Do.  ....  48 

Monthly  ^Meeting,   .       .       .  ^0 
Meeting,         .       .       .       .  80 
Do.  ....  84 

 21 

 29 


i 


BX7607  .P4A5 

A  retrospect  of  early  Quakerism  :  being 
Pnncelon  Theological  Seminary-Speer  Library 


1  1012  00004  9561 


